Jackson County’s rising popularity has prompted a redesign of the Chamber of Commerce’s Mountain Lovers Web page and a re-issuance of a promotional DVD for tourism and economic development purposes.

The Web site went through two phases of redevelopment, one in February that included new content and features such as a hotel availability search, and another in May that focused primarily on appearance. Using pictures taken by local photographers, the site will reflect Jackson County’s changing seasons.

“Now the backdrop looks fresh and exciting,” said Julie Spiro, Chamber director.

Keeping with the trend of internet-based tourism marketing — most vacationers these days choose to learn more about where they’re going through Web searches prior to traveling — visitor information inquiries are up 33 percent from summer 2004, versus only a 7-percent increase in walk-in traffic at the chamber office at the Hooper House in downtown Sylva. Online relocation inquiries also are up, with a 36-percent increase since summer 2004. The site averaged 16,912 visits per month through June, July and August this year.

In response to the increased demand for information about Jackson County, the chamber is re-issuing a 90-second DVD produced two years ago that features some of the county’s highlights — whitewater rafting, Great Smoky Mountains Railway excursions, Cherokee culture, the Balsam Mountain Inn, downtown Sylva dining and more.

The,DVDs have been used to promote the county from an economic standpoint having been handed out by the Economic Development Commission to prospective commercial enterprises, by WestCare to incoming doctors, and by Western Carolina University as recruitment for new professors. They’ve also been shared with the Travel and Tourism Authority, which shared the cost of producing the DVD, to attract travel writers to the area.

“It does work for us and we’ve had very positive feedback from our travel writers that see this and decide to come on a tour,” Spiro said.

Room tax revenues have gone up 15 percent since summer 2004.

The 500 DVDs were produced for $1,800 through MDKS, a film company based out of Gainesville, Ga. The company also produced a similar DVD for the Cherokee Welcome Center so material could be jointly used for the two DVDs.

“We shared the company at the same time so it was more affordable for the both of us,” Spiro said.

Another 500 copies of the DVD have been pressed and are set to arrive at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce this week. Organizations wishing to include the DVD in their promotional materials may contact the Chamber to discuss distribution options.

“We are the shepherds of the county’s tourism dollars so we have to be mindful of that,” Spiro said.

The promotional film also is available for viewing on the Chamber’s Web site at www.mountainlovers.com.

— By Sarah Kucharski