LIGONIER, Pa., (Feb. 6, 2019) – The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau (LHVB) announced the release of its 2019 Destination Guide to the tri-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania. The reimagined 72-page full-color piece serves as the principal promotional brochure for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties’ tourism information.
The 2019 edition has a new look compared previous editions. Physically the guide is smaller, but it remains filled to the brim with helpful information, stunning photography and creative content.
“The slightly slimmer guide makes for a more unique and a visually interesting size to draw interest,” said Kristin Ecker, Senior Director of Marketing, LHVB. “We have moved away from a directory-style resource and on to an inspirational look at the region and a visual guide to what a visitor might experience in the Laurel Highlands.”
As the guide’s design shifted, so did the content. The 2019 Destination Guide also serves as a magazine, providing intriguing content that showcases some of the region’s newest attractions, tourism entrepreneurs and local history and heritage.
“By sharing the stories of the Laurel Highlands, the guide gives the region more personality and invites the readers to experience the region’s assets in a more relatable way,” added Ecker. “We invite readers to experience the landscape like a local and feel immersed in its offerings.”
Feature stories include:
- “Rebuilding It the Wright Way,” Tom and Heath Papinchak, owners of Frank Lloyd Wright at Polymath Park, where the region’s fourth Frank Lloyd Wright home will open for tours and lodging in 2019.
- “A Trip Down Memory Lane,” a look back at the Lincoln Highway and the newly-expanded Lincoln Highway Experience.
- “Making a Splash,” how Confluence natives Kara and John Weld launched the world famous Immersion Research brand in their own backyard.
- “A Taste of Laurel Highlands History,” shares the story of the creation of Old Overholt whiskey at West Overton Village and the return of distilling operations 100 years later.
- “How Sweet It Is,” explains the region’s history of maple sugaring and a coveted recipe for Burnt Sugar Cake, a Somerset County tradition.
Visitors will also find traditional favorites including a 2019 calendar of major festivals and events, a regional map and valuable coupons.
Sourced from the LHVB’s annual photo contest, the photography brings the guide to life.
“The comment I always hear about the guide is about the stunning photography,” said Ecker. “These photos add tremendous authenticity to the guide and with the amazing quality of the photos we receive, the visitor is immediately drawn to the guide.”
The winning images from the 2018 photo contest are showcased on page 46 of the guide, as well as information on how to enter the 2019 photo contest, which will accept submissions Feb. 1- July 31, 2019.
The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau publishes the destination guide for distribution at numerous consumer travel shows, Pennsylvania Welcome Centers, Pennsylvania Turnpike Visitors Centers, 85 regional brochure racks, Pittsburgh International Airport, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, VisitPittsburgh Welcome Centers, Laurel Highlands Visitors Centers, regional chambers of commerce and at LHVB tourism partner businesses.
To order a free copy of the 2019 Laurel Highlands Destination Guide, please call (724) 238-5661, ext. 101, or fill out an online request form. A flip-through digital version is also available online.
About Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located an hour east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, family activities and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include four architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater®, Kentuck Knob, Mäntylä and Duncan House – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park and more.
Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., the Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91 and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Visitors to the Laurel Highlands can find information online at www.LaurelHighlands.org, calling 724.238.5661, www.facebook.com/laurelhighlandsPA and www.twitter.com/laurelhighlands. Established in 1958, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.
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