VisitErie, the local tourist promotion office, plans to hire an advertising agency to help plan a more aggressive marketing effort.
The recent increase in the local hotel tax is providing an additional $1 million for tourist promotion. And the first payment is expected soon.
Until now, funding problems limited marketing mostly to special events. Now, plans call for more year-round advertising in the region, and a focus on Erie as a family friendly getaway.
John Oliver of VisitErie said, "Now I think we are going to have the opportunity to really talk about why Erie is a great vacation destination and why people ought to consider staying overnight."
Boosters say they hope increased marketing will lead to a 10% increase in visitors and visitor spending in the next couple of years.