Galena Country Tourism adjusts to COVID

GALENA–Rose Noble, president and CEO of Galena Country Tourism (GCT), presented the organization’s quarterly report during the GCT board meeting at Galena Cellars Winery on Tuesday, July 14. Noble informed the board that the organization is tracking responses online to the outdoor dining experience on Main Street and providing the information to the city, which will decide the future of outdoor dining in Galena.

Noble also told the board the organization’s sales department is working on destination development and creating experiences focused on smaller groups.

“The whole idea of this is to start to develop these things that will have a long-lasting run, but also can have an immediate response to generate revenue,” said Noble.

Noble also told the board that the organization’s social updates have adjusted as they also relayed information to locals as well as visitors.

According to Noble’s report, GCT had 6,000 new subscribers, which was double the previous quarter. She said the fourth quarter blogs were launched every week and also had a positive response. GCT aimed some of its blogs towards locals and she said due to positive responses this will likely continue. The number of blog reads had doubled for the organization.

GCT also restarted ad campaigns on May 1 after halting them in March due to COVID. Noble said the ads have already seen a 50 percent increase.

“Hopefully, this is a sign of positive things to come,” said Noble.

Noble reported on updates at the welcome center as it transitions from the Old Market House State Historic Site to the Old Train Depot. Noble said the city approved the move and will make changes to the highway signage to direct visitors to the new site.

Noble told the board that many of the items have already been moved to the new space.

“We are out of there physically,” said Noble. “Now we are getting a plan in place to reopen.”