Centralia, WA – Discover Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway are proud to announce they have been awarded a $25,000 Rural Tourism Research and Data Grant from the State of Washington Tourism. This funding will support a comprehensive website usability study to enhance the digital experience for visitors exploring Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway.
The grant will enable Discover Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway to conduct in-depth usability interviews with leisure travelers, analyze website engagement, and generate insights to optimize content and functionality. The study will focus on improving the effectiveness of discoverlewiscounty.com and whitepassbyway.com as tourism promotion tools, ensuring they provide relevant, engaging, and accessible information to visitors.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow us to refine our digital presence and better serve travelers looking to explore the natural beauty and attractions of Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway,” said Todd Chaput, program manager of Discover Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway. “With the expertise of Future Partners, we will gain valuable insights into how visitors interact with our websites and identify opportunities for improvement.”
Future Partners will oversee the usability study, managing participant recruitment, interview moderation, and data analysis. The project deliverables will include a detailed report of findings, an online presentation, and digital recordings of user interviews. Additionally, heatmapping analysis will be conducted to assess user engagement with key website features.
The Rural Tourism Research and Data Grant program supports destination communities in Washington by funding projects that enhance tourism efficiency, sustainability, and economic impact. Discover Lewis County and the White Pass Scenic Byway look forward to leveraging this research to strengthen their digital outreach and attract more visitors to the region.