PHILLY FANS CAN SHOW THEIR LOVE THROUGH CLICKS, TWEETS AND COMMENTS

Facebook, Twitter, e-Newsletters And Two Popular Web Sites Keep Visitors Connected To Philly

PHILADELPHIA, February 26, 2010 – The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation makes it easy to find fun things to do in the Philadelphia region thanks to a host of increasingly popular social media tools. Whether people like to connect with friends on Facebook, tweet from their smart phones, surf the Web or get the scoop delivered directly to their e-mail inboxes, they’ll see that it’s easy to stay in touch with Philadelphia and The Countryside®. Check out all the ways GPTMC connects visitors and residents to the city they love:
 
1.      Facebook:
Philly’s Facebook fans receive event updates, tips on big hotel deals and links to insider Philadelphia information in their newsfeed a few times a day. On the Facebook page’s wall, fans can share their best Philly photos, chat with sports fans about last night’s game or tell other Philly enthusiasts about their favorite new restaurants. GPTMC encourages fans to stop by, leave a comment, connect with fellow Philly lovers and show city pride. Visit facebook.com/VisitPhilly.
 
Fans of Philadelphia’s gay and lesbian scene get an eclectic mix of fun happenings in Philadelphia and The Countryside® delivered to their news feed a few times a day at facebook.com/VisitGayPhilly.
 
2.      Twitter:
To stay in the know about up-to-the-minute Philly tourism news, what to dos, brag-worthy facts, hotel and restaurant deals, giveaways and promotions throughout the day, follow any of GPTMC’s four Twitter accounts:
·      twitter.com/VisitPhilly: Offers the scoop on general happenings, insights and travel promotions in Philadelphia and The Countryside®
·      twitter.com/PhillyTeAma: Helps Twitter users feel the vibrant pulse of Latino Philadelphia
·      twitter.com/Philly360: Gives African-American Twitter users (and the world) a 360° view of Philly’s creative, historic and modern offerings
·      twitter.com/uwishunu: Keeps Twitter followers up to date with what’s happening in Philly in connection with insider blog uwishunu.com
 
3.      Monthly e-newsletters:
For those not into Facebook and Twitter, it’s still nice to be in the know. Once a month, GPTMC delivers an e-newsletter with top picks for seasonal events, restaurant openings and great deals directly to inboxes everywhere to help visitors stay on top of the news and help them plan their free time. Sign up from the homepage of visitphilly.com.
Tourism Blog, uwishunu.com:

4.       Want to know what’s going on in Philly this week? Insider blog uwishunu.com is an up-to-the-minute source for places to eat, drink and be merry. New and different attractions and deals are always popping up, providing visitors with more reasons to return to the site.
 
5.      YouTube:
What’s better than telling stories about Philadelphia? Showing stories about Philadelphia! GPTMC has plenty of free videos on youtube.com/VisitPhilly. Visit or subscribe to the channel, then sit back and watch our latest videos on hot chefs, cool fashions, locally made beers and other fun things to do. GPTMC’s videos also give the scoop on Philadelphia’s newest tourism TV commercials. A few clicks of the mouse later and viewers can share favorite videos with friends and family.
Region’s Official Tourism Web site, visitphilly.com:

6.      visitphilly.com, the new, renamed tourism Web site that replaces the popular gophila.com, provides visitors with all the trip-planning tools (maps, photos, itineraries, videos, listings, booking capabilities and more) to imagine, create and book their Philadelphia stay—whenever, where ever. Can’t figure out where to eat after the show? Need directions to the museum? Ready to make hotel reservations? visitphilly.com’s at the ready.

 
Leading The Way:
GPTMC is consistently recognized as a leader among destination marketing organizations using social media. Several national media groups, such as Online News Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, have invited GPTMC to speak at their conferences. GPTMC has also presented at national industry events, including the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations in 2008 and 2009 and Americans for the Arts’ convention in 2008. Recently, New York-based destination marketing firm, Development Counsellors International, named Philadelphia one of the “Tweet Elite,” a top U.S. destination to market its city via Twitter. Since 2007, GPTMC’s social media initiatives have earned 10 industry awards from the Public Relations Society of America, PR News and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.
 
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.
 
For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to Hear Philly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.