m •
BY DAVID YOUNG
Coming on the heels of a report
pointing to an overall annual
growth in tourism, the Catalina
Chamber of Commerce and
Visitor's Bureau announced the
results of their most recent mar-
ket'mg campaign period, which
saw an increase in web traffic and
a lower response to print.
The Chamber said it's web
site received more than 1.2 mil-
lion visits during the period with
visitor's spending an average of
three minutes on the site.
In addition, campaign acqui-
sition results show more than
200,000 direct referrals from
the booking engine to Catalina
Chamber of Commerce and
Visitor's Bureau members and
more than 5,000 requests for
visitor guides.
Phone calls and responses to
print ads declined and while
print advertising purchases also
declined, the Chamber said.
The Catalina Island Group's
digital marketing campaign
delivered more than 2 million
impressions to the meeting and
event target market in southern
California, resulting in 14,000
clicks to the site and produc-
ing 62 active leads for the RFP
program, the Chamber reported.
Accordingly, the volume of
leads grew from 38 last year to
almost double that number for
this year, the report concluded.
'Birthday Promo' ends at Catalina Express
FOR THE ISLANDER
The following is a message
from the Catalina Express:
"On its 30th anniversary in
2012 Catalina Express launched
its 'Birthday Ride' promotion
and its 'Birthday Island' part-
nership. Since then, the ferry
company has been proud to
continue the promotion for six
years, which has resulted in
nearly 500,000 registrations and
200,000 round,trip voyages.
"As with all good things,
the popular birthday promo-
tion-which introduced many
new visitors to the wonders of
Catalina--will end for visi-
tors and island residents on
December 31, 2017. There is
still time for visitors to visit on
their birthday, as long as they
register and begin their journey
by December 31, 2017.
"Greg Bombard, President/
CEO, says, 'Catalina l~xpress
wishes to thank its more than 45
island partners who participated
in the Birthday Island program
over the past six years, offer-
ing discounts, perks and val-
ue-added products and services
for birthday celebrants.: This
program made visitors' special
day on the island even more
meaningful with other visitors,
residents and business owners
wishing them a happy day.
"'We launched the program
not only to celebrate our 30th
anniverSary, but to provide an
incentive for visitors to get a
'taste' of the new Catalina,
which has grown and evolved
with the opening of new attrac-
tions, restaurants, culture and
entertainment.'
"The Birthday Ride program
provided visitors a novel way
to celebrate their birthday with
friends and loved ones, with
nearly 60 percent of birthday
celebrants being first time visi-
tors to the island. While many
visited for the day, a large per-
centage also spent one night
or more, and now come to the
island to celebrate other special
occasions too. Catalina Express
will continue to offer many
other promotions and contests,
providing more reasons to visit
the island year-round, including
boat and hotel packages, holiday
gift card program, the Ship and
Zip package, and more to be
announced."
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Greetings, my name is Wade McDonald and I possess a deep down passion for our oceans and the Marine life
that calls it home. Please join me weekly as I share this magical underwater world with you as well as some
interesting facts you may or may not have known. Sit back and relax, no scuba tank is required, let me be your
guide, and enjoy. Now for your official Marine Forecast in effect for Saturday Oct. 21: Inner Waters from Point
Mugu to San Mateo Point, including Catalina Island, NW Winds 15 to 20 with gusts up to 25. Combined Seas
3 to 5 feet. Remember to always check current conditions when planning activities on and around the water.
When In Doubt, Don't Go Out. Courtesy photo
FOR THE ISLANDER
The following is a message
from the Catalina Chamber of
Commerce:
"The City of Avalon advises:
"Update to the Hot Asphalt
Paving Schedule.
"We have updated the www.
cityofavalon.com/roads web-
site with the preliminary pav-
ing schedule going through Mid-
NOvember. NOTE: This is only
a tentative schedule, the actual
dates of work may be rearranged.
We will work to keep /roads
updated with the upcoming work
schedule, so be sure" to check
back there. We already may have
some changes in some location
dates, shuffling things around, so
keep that in mind.
"You may have started to
notice the street markings around
town outlining and numbering
the patches.
"If you look at the online pre-
liminary schedule you will see
that it is broken down by asphalt
remos~l, prepping each locating
and then the asphalt replacement.
From there the work is broken
down by street. We will be work-
ing to ensure one lane is acces-
sible throughout the project area,
however some level of delay and/
or detour is expected.
"We will do our best to work
around the Cruise ship schedule,
but due to the nature of the proj-
ect there will be some overlap.
"As always, don't hesitate to
reach out with any questions."
The Chamber can be reached
at 310-510-1520.
Send your news worthy hi fez photos to
We are looking for talented and dedicated residents who
have a passion for writing to contribute stories to The Catalina Islander.
Submissions chosen and printed will be compensated.
For more information contact Jesus Ruiz, Subject line: Freelance Wdter.
8 i Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 THE CATALINA ISLANDER
