Peace, Love, Athens.
In partnership with The Athens Messenger, the High Road Agency recently worked with The Athens Visitors Bureau (AVB) in Athens, Ohio, to create a new, innovative, and user-friendly website.
Photo Credit: Joel Prince
Project summary
Boone Troyer, Executive Director of the AVB, enjoyed working with both The Athens Manager and HRA and was extremely pleased with the final result.
The High Road Agency was able to maximize the visual appeal of the new website (athensohio.com) by utilizing professional photography by AVB’s own Joel Prince. The website features a comprehensive, searchable directory of all points of interest within Athens, including hotels, restaurants, things to do, and events. The website’s goal is to promote tourism in Athens and provide tourists with one location to easily find everything to see and do in the city, home to Ohio University.
Troyer loves the entire site and feels it will be a tremendous asset.
AVB not only promotes the region as a destination for tourists, but it also strengthens the Visit Athens Ohio brand locally and nationally and creates economic development through the leisure, group, and business markets.
The tourism industry took a significant hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the country beginning to open up again, the new AVB website will help the city draw more tourists. The U.S. Travel Association (UTA) says that total travel spending in the United States dropped 44.8% in 2020 but is forecasting a 37.5% increase in travel spending in 2021, certainly an encouraging sign for the city of Athens.
Website Design
A straight-forward user experience with striking photography to showcase the uniqueness of Athens County Ohio was top priority when discussing their new website. The site is organized into three main directories (places to stay, food & drink, and things to do) as well as events.
Directory Stats
Places to Stay
Places to Eat
Things to Do
“Since we have been working with you all, it has been great,” he said of the partnership. “You have all been very responsive in our requests and really helped us understand what our part in the process was. The changes, learning curve, and ability to make us feel like we were on the right track were greatly appreciated.”
“We realize that there was a bit of a structural change with a new director in our office, and we appreciate all the extended time and focus on helping us get the website up and running.”
“It will be a primary resource for our region and Athens County in regards to travel and tourism,” he said. “The photography assets that we have are astounding; they really set the tone for the site. We also enjoy the Instagram feed at the bottom of the page, as well as the Athens Exclusives section.”
Boone Troyer
Executive Director of Athens County Visitors Bureau
