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Medford's visitor center logs fewer tourists, more mail, Internet contacts By MELISSA MARTIN More tourists asked for information in the mail or via Internet this past summer, but fewer stopped by the information center in the South Gateway shopping center, a tourism promoter said. There were 653 fewer September tourists this year than last who stopped by the Visitor Center near Harry and David's Country Village, said Julie Petretto, executive director of the Medford Visitors & Convention Center. "Our location has become harder to find," Petretto told the Medford City Council during a noon meeting Thursday. "The stores we are located next to are doing so well that it's getting harder to find a parking place." The September tourism decline may have cost city businesses $3 million in revenue, based on a formula that calculates a three-night stay and $100 daily spending spree per tourist. Summer totals show that visitor inquiries at the information center dropped 6 percent, Petretto said. There were 21,859 visitors last summer and 20,478 visitors this past July, August and September, she said. But Medford may draw crowds in January when the city hosts a Professional Bowlers Association tournament that could generate $14 million in revenue during the seven-day stay of bowlers and television crews, Petretto said. The event will be held at Lava Lanes and will be broadcast on ESPN. Petretto showed the City Council on an overhead screen a color photo of Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay that appeared in a Horizon flight magazine advertisement in September. The city helped pay for the ad. "(The advertisement) was untimely because of the Sept. 11 events," Petretto said. Medford Visitors & Convention Bureau also advertised in Sunset, Via, Oregon Coast, Northwest Travel and other magazines. Medford got a review from a summer mystery tourist sent by a state quality service program. After playing tourist in the Rogue Valley for a day or two, the state scout concluded that Medford needs better signs directing folks to its attractions, better customer service, maps that are easier to read and more beautification. "They said our strengths are a booming downtown location, the climate and good visitor center material," Petretto said. The Visitor Center took the scout's advice and printed a simple map that can be used by gas station attendants, retailers or anyone who gets stopped by a tourist for directions. For a copy of the map, call 776-4021. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.