MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -The federal government has given the state $1.25 million to help with high-tech efforts to promote tourism.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing will share the money to further develop Vermont’s travel and tourism information network, including the state’s official tourism Web site, www.vermontvacation.com.
The funding was included in the latest annual transportation spending bill through the Federal Highway Administration’s Intelligent Transportation System program.
In the previous two years, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., secured $2 million through the program to help fund Vermont’s tourism Web site and set up electronic kiosks at welcome centers around the state.
“What began as a vision to market Vermont business over the Internet has grown into a comprehensive, leading-edge business registry and traveler information network that is being used as a model around the country,” said Leahy, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The money announced Friday would be used to improve the state’s database and expand the ways people can get information about traveling in Vermont, laying the groundwork for future technological improvements.
“It is certainly going to help us advance our traveler information,” said Sybil Chicoine, deputy commissioner of tourism and marketing.
The next steps include low-power FM radio transmitters that will be located near highway exits – “electronic billboards” – that will broadcast information about local businesses and attractions.
“As you get close to a certain exit, generally within five miles, you can tune into one of these radio stations and receive tourism information, weather updates, road condition updates, information like that,” Chicoine said. “We hope to be launching two exits shortly, perhaps in late fall.”
The state is also implementing 511 phone service that would replace the current 1-800-ICY-ROAD toll-free number for road conditions, and hopes to add additional travel services for callers.
AP-ES-06-14-03 1444EDT
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