[Image: NewHopeApp.com on my iPhone.]
The New Hope Borough Council has unveiled a new website that highlights all that the popular tourism spot — which boasts over one million visitors annually — has to offer.
It’s the first time officials are utilizing technology as a tourism tool to woo visitors and locals alike to the Delaware River town.
The website, which doesn’t require any mobile app downloads, invites users to eat, shop, explore or stay at a number of listed local businesses. The borough council collaborated with Landmark Hospitality on the project.
“It works by geolocation, so wherever you are in New Hope, it can let you know what the closest places are,” said Landmark Hospitality’s chief experience officer, Tommy Rausch.
From a phone, tablet or laptop, users can make reservations, buy tickets, scan QR codes and find out how to get where they’re going.
The New Hope App isn’t just free of charge for the people who take advantage of it.
“We're working with all the merchants to help raise awareness,” Rausch said. “We're giving them all free, complete listings inside the app where they can update it with videos, photos and offers.”
Those involved with the app’s development and launch are hoping that as businesses continue operating during the pandemic, the project will only help them to keep thriving.
Newtown Township, IMHO, continues to fall behind neighboring municipalities in the use of technology and in actually supporting local businesses. There’s been a lot of talk about becoming more “business friendly,” but little action.
What action there has been – such as rezoning districts (see first item on list below) – seems to me to be more about helping local real estate agents attract clients or the township garner more tax income rather than helping current businesses to attract clients and stay in business.
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