New iPad app, online Media Center and enhanced travel trade sites make California content just a quick click away, anywhere in the world
Visit California recently launched several new content-rich tools and resources in the digital space. From an iPad application designed to help travelers "dream, plan, go" and a freshly optimized mobile website to an online Media Center built with global press needs in mind and high-definition educational videos narrated in 12 different languages, Golden State images, articles, itineraries and videos have never been more accessible.
"We are riding the wave of technological innovation, endless digital content possibilities and consumers' evolving media consumption habits to meet our audiences in their preferred environments with the most relevant content," said Caroline Beteta, Visit California president and CEO. "Our expanding digital foundation gives us the ability to better assist leisure travelers, journalists and travel agents in the process of finding themselves - or their readers and clients - in California."
The new Visit California iPad app and the optimized VisitCalifornia.com mobile website put information travelers need in the palm of their hands. Visitors can quickly browse must-see destinations, create customized itineraries, find guides on great California adventures, see real-time reviews on restaurants, lodgings and attractions and much more. The iPad app is free for the downloading in the Apple store.
A newly introduced web video series, "The Ultimate Insider" featuring actor Rob Lowe, adds even more star power to VisitCalifornia.com. Playing the role of the "official ‘unofficial' tour guide," Mr. Lowe reveals everything he knows and loves about California, from family attractions and outdoor recreation to the ultimate California road trip and his own California bucket list.
Visit California's Media Center - a new online hub of California content - offers press easy access to a bounty of images, high-definition b-roll, story ideas, news releases, local contacts and many more global media resources. The site enables Visit California's global public relations team to deliver content and news to media around the world 365 days a year. Writers, bloggers, producers and editors can get their story started at media.visitcalifornia.com and visit often to keep up with what's new in California.
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The Travel Trade Portal (TTP) platform, customized for travel agents and tour operators, was initially introduced in May 2011 at International Pow Wow San Francisco. The traveltrade.visitcalifornia.com site features itineraries, marketing resources and educational tools, such as the "California Expert" online training program which currently has more than 10,000 registered users around the world. Visit California has been working steadfastly to localize the TTP for the state's key international markets. UK, Mexico and Germany were the first to go live in recent months, and five additional markets are due to follow throughout 2012: Australia, Brazil, France, India and Italy.
Tour operators can take advantage of a new "Dynamic Deals" feature on the TTP to promote their California product offerings directly to potential travelers on the corresponding consumer-facing website, be that visitcalifornia.co.uk, visitcalifornia.com.mx or visitcalifornia.de. This allows tour operators to leverage Visit California's marketing investment at no cost and gives consumers access to timely deals. Another key element of the localization effort are new high-definition educational videos that were produced with narration in 12 languages and are available for viewing on the TTP sites.
ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA
Visit California is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures total $102 billion annually in California (20 percent of which is international), support jobs for 893,000 Californians and generate $6.3 billion in state and local tax revenues.