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8/13/03 - Year-to-date Anchorage.net Site Traffic

NEWS RELEASE

Anchorage, Alaska – August 13, 2003

YEAR-TO-DATE ANCHORAGE.NET SITE TRAFFIC SURPASSES TOTAL TRAFFIC IN 2002

Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) launched an aggressive Internet marketing strategy for 2003, which continues to draw record numbers of monthly unique users to www.anchorage.net. At the close of July, more than 278,500 monthly unique visitors have perused more than 1.5 million Web pages so far this year. Traffic has surpassed 2002 numbers by 2,000 monthly unique users. When repeat visitors are included, visits total 363,246 for 2003 year-to-date. A “monthly unique visitor” is defined as one individual that visits the site any given month no matter how often.

In July 2003, ACVB conducted a simple online survey of 1,611 people through www.anchorage.net to obtain a breakdown of its audience. The survey will be conducted a total of four times in 2003. The results show 71 percent were visitors. The remaining percentages are made up of locals, travel agents, meeting planners and members.

Part of the ACVB’s aggressive marketing strategy includes the use of targeted search engines through sites such as Google, Yahoo and MSN.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by hotels. The other half goes to the Municipality’s general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, see www.anchorage.net.

Erika Biringer, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
ebiringer@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net

Nance Larsen, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net