In the tourism world, anything that attracts people to your venue or event is recognized as a tourism tool. Pokémon Go is a global phenomenon, and the City of Douglas is using the game as a tool to attract visitors.
This year, the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival will use the Pokémon Go game as a way to help bring the young and old to Douglas on September 10, 2016 from noon to 5 p.m.
“We are using the Pokémon Go app as a way to reach millennials and attract visitors,” says Georgia Henderson, City of Douglas Public Information Director. “We hope to appeal to a new and younger demographic by offering Poké activities throughout the day as a bonus to visit our festival and to also participate in other community events.”
Douglas and Coffee County has a locally formed group, The Coffee County Pokémon Group, and they are actively involved in community events. The group held a community clean-up in downtown Douglas on August 20 and will participate and volunteer during the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival. They also have future community volunteer efforts planned.
The Coffee County Pokémon Go group will be at the festival dropping lures and offering information about Pokémon Go for visitors. Game lures will be dropped every 30 minutes. Team t-shirts and Pokémon Go decals will be available for purchase. Volunteers can earn cascade and team up points. Stop by and find out how you can begin capturing Pokémon!
Pokémon Go is a location-based game, created by Niantic, that can be played on a iPhone or Android. Most players play outside by walking in order to find and capture Pokémon. There are three teams in the Pokémon Go world: team Instinct, team Mystic, and team Valor. Several areas in Douglas are Poké Stops and Poké players can be found battling daily for control of gyms in Douglas. Gyms are battle areas that Level 5 & up players can visit to control the gym and earn some bonus points.
For more information about the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival, click here or call 912-383-0277.
– Submitted