Bucks County Gets Smart(phone)

now offers visitors and residents access to the region’s attractions, restaurants, lodging, and special events while on-the-go, according to a release.

Apps for the iPhone and Blackberry, a mobile site, and text messaging program are ready just in time for Bucks County’s peak tourism season. Designed to provide immediate access to tourism-related information, these services continue to keep Bucks County at the cutting edge of destination marketing in the digital age.

According to The Nielsen Company, there are 228 million mobile phone users. Smartphones account for more than 30 percent of the market and growing at a rapid pace. Morgan Stanley Research expects smartphone sales to exceed PC sales in 2012.

“Our mobile Web site, iPhone and Blackberry app put Bucks County’s treasures right at the fingertips of visitors and locals. We know people get their information from many different types of sources,” stated Paul Bencivengo, Marketing & Communications Director at Visit Bucks County. “Whether it’s our Destination Guide, Facebook or Twitter pages, Web site or Visitor Center, consumers have easy access to everything that’s great about Bucks County!”

SMS (text) messaging is incorporated into all Visit Bucks County advertising and marketing programs.  Several Bucks County attractions currently offer discounts and specials through the tourism office’s mobile initiatives. Visit Bucks County is currently running a Sesame Place getaway contest in Quick Chek stores where patrons text SESAMEQC to enter to win.

The mobile website will also allow users the option to save favorites and obtain directions to desired locations. For an enhanced experience, the app (free to download) offers a greater level of detail with integrated maps and point-to-point directions. Social media is integrated into both the mobile Web site and apps.

The Visit Bucks County apps are now available at VisitBucksCounty.com/iPhoneApp and VisitBucksCounty.com/BlackberryApp. The mobile Web site can be found here.