Agencies Forge Trail Marketing Alliance

The world’s largest trail region just grew.

The Spokane Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Silver Country, an organization marketing the 1,000 miles of recreational trails stretching from North Idaho to Western Montana, recently announced a strategic alliance.

“If we can pool our resources, we’re going to generate a lot more business,” said Hartley Kruger, president of Spokane’s CVB.

“Our goal is to put this on the map as a world famous tourist destination,” said Tom Magnuson, president of Wallace-based Silver Country.

The plan is to jointly market Spokane, North Idaho and Western Montana as a region unparalleled in what it can offer outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Marketing of the 1,000-mile trail system has been enormously successful, with coverage in several national publications. Silver Country’s Internet site received 200,000 inquiries in its first year.

Likewise, visitor spending in Spokane County continues to grow, reaching $490 million in 1996. That’s an 80 percent increase over 10 years. The 1986 figure was $270 million.

Now, the alliance hopes to use the region’s momentum to develop joint marketing packages for airlines, car rental firms, tour operators, outfitters and recreational attractions.

Marketing efforts will capitalize on the region’s common heritage of mining, timber and agriculture, along with the recreational opportunities of its mountains, lakes, trails and towns.

A Silver Country tourism guide, including information about the entire region and maps to the trail systems will be published in June.

“We believe that through working together in speaking to the world with one voice and one vision, the economic development possibilities for Spokane and Silver Country will dramatically increase,” Magnuson said.

, DataTimes