The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced the use of MicroMaps, a new interactive addition to its Web site.
MicroMaps is an electronic interactive map that allows visitors to customize their Corpus Christi vacation by marking waypoints and points of interest as well as searching for nearby accommodations, attractions, performing arts and theater locations and sports venues.
“If they want to see where the U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the bay is in correlation to the Texas State Aquarium or see where a specific attraction is in comparison to their hotel, they can do that,” said Timothy Carpenter, vice president of technology and interactive marketing.
The bureau worked with the company MicroMaps.com to make the electronic interactive map a reality. The map went live at the end of November.
MicroMaps can be accessed from any page on the bureau’s Web site, located at www.VisitCorpusChristiTX.org or by visiting www.CorpusChristi.MicroMaps.com.
Another option for visitors is to print out their maps from their home computers, Carpenter said. The service allows visitors to see the route to Corpus Christi from the San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville and other metropolitan Texas cities, he said.
Padre Island National Seashore is also detailed in MicroMaps with mileposts and highlighted specific beach sections such as Bird Island Basin, Big Shell and Little Shell. There also are notes stating which areas are only accessible with four-wheel drive vehicles, Carpenter added.
MicroMaps is only a portion of the bureau’s Technology Initiative, which was announced in July.
“It’s a strong step but it’s one step in our ongoing efforts to be on the cutting edge of innovation to reach our techno-savvy traveler,” said Keith Arnold, CEO of the bureau.
The Technology Initiative began with the new look and new URL of the bureau’s Web site and continued with the installation of Virtual Visitor Centers, which feature the high-tech LCD touch-screen kiosks at 11 different locations. Ongoing projects within the initiative are the search engine optimization plan and the social media marketing plan, which includes the CVB’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The next step in the Technology Initiative will be the launch of the mobile Web site, which will allow visitors the ability to browse the bureau’s Web site from their PDAs, cell phones and other handheld devices.
