The Township of Nipigon is now able to showcase its tourism destinations with the start of a new website.
Earlier this year, the Township unveiled its five-year tourism marketing plan, which was developed through a partnership with Destination Northern Ontario and Superior Country, the arms-length, non-profit destination marketing organization overseeing 50 per cent of Nipigon’s Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).
The municipal accommodation tax is a four-per cent levy on consecutive accommodation stays of less than 30 days in local hotels.
Dan Bevilacqua, Superior Country’s executive director, said the community’s goal is to ultimately increase year-round visitation to Nipigon, particularly “heads in beds,” by leveraging MAT revenue to enhance local tourism offerings and marketing.
“The development of the new website is part of the marketing plan and will replace the existing tourism information on Nipigon’s municipal site,” he said. “The goals of the website are to provide information on attractions and events, to provide links to tourism-related businesses, and to promote Nipigon to tourists, visiting friends and family.”
Bevilacqua says heads in beds have the biggest economic impact when people stay longer and spend more.
“Getting people to spend a night in Nipigon is key, and advertising now targets some of the “low-hanging fruit” where they know people are already visiting Nipigon, such as the Lake Superior Circle Tour.
“They’re already coming through, so we want to make sure that we’re advertising to those individuals during the trip-planning phase, so that they plan to actually spend a night in Nipigon and not just drive through,” he said.
Nipigon Mayor Suzanne Kukko said a dedicated tourism website is essential for providing visitors with clear, updated information and will be promoted through online social media channels, which Superior Country developed and started in early March.
“When people Google your community looking for attractions and places to stay, eat and shop, often the first thing that comes up is your municipal site,” Kukko said, adding that tourists get frustrated sorting through municipal information, like community meeting notices and garbage pickup.
“It’s essential information for citizens, but not for visitors. People can just go to www.visitnipigon.net or our home page, and click on the visit tab right away and be directed straight to the Visit Nipigon site.”
Superior Country oversees the website updates, and plans and executes all of the social media posts, which takes some pressure off the municipal staff. Bevilacqua said website design is attractive and easy to navigate.
