The New Utah.com - a Little Quirky and a Whole Lot of Amazing...Just Like the State

State's No1 most visited travel and tourism hub relaunches with one-stop trip planning, rich contextual ad platform and hyperlocal editorial content

News provided by

Utah.com

Nov 16, 2015, 08:50 ET

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- There are few travel websites that have been around as long as Utah.com. Since 1996, the site has been the online source for travelers planning on visiting the state that boasts some of the most amazing scenery and natural features in the world. Over the years, Utah.com has built a passionate, loyal following of travelers who come to Utah for world-class skiing, five national parks, celebrity-packed film festivals and warm, western hospitality.

Recently, Salt Lake City based Deseret Digital Media revealed the results of a massive three-year project that included a complete overhaul to Utah.com's brand and design. Feedback gathered from user research sessions in California, Colorado and Utah drove the intuitive, media-rich design seen today, as well as the implementation of features that allow users to discover, plan and book their Utah vacations without ever having to visit another website.

The new Utah.com delivers content with a unique perspective and a fresh and unbiased voice that will inspire visitors to explore one of the most dynamic and diverse areas in the United States. The site features stunning images of stone arches, sweeping deserts, snow-capped mountains, cities with warm local charm and one-of-a-kind experiences you can't find any place but Utah. Visitors will find detailed itineraries and unique promotions designed to introduce them to Utah's best lodging properties, guides, restaurants, and more.

"We created a unique model to satisfy the needs of travelers and advertisers by integrating promotion into our organic content to enable visitors to get the most out of their trips," said Chad Taylor, General Manager. "For example, most travel sites will tell you that Bryce Canyon Pines Motel has standard and deluxe rooms. Utah.com will tell you to try the sour cream and raisin pie at the adjacent restaurant – hand baked by owner Ethyl Rich each day. Or, to join her son, Rusty, on a horseback tour through Butch Cassidy's old stomping grounds."

Along with destination-specific copy written by local experts and journalists, Utah.com's new editorial focus includes the soon-to-launch Local View. This section is like getting the inside scoop from a dyed-in-the-wool Utah native telling you about things to see and do that you typically won't find in a travel brochure. Writers for Local View are as varied and unique as the Utah landscape itself. Contributors range from a University of Utah writing professor and staunch conservationist to a carpenter that serves as a river guide to a stand-up comic from Salt Lake City.

Some of the articles will include:

The Ultimate Itinerary: How to See Six National Parks in 11 Days
9 Weird and Bizarre Destinations You Didn't Know Existed in Utah
Top Five Scenic Byways in Utah and Why You Need to Drive Them Now
Seven Places in Utah where Voldemort Would Hide a Horcrux
Top Five Adrenaline Pumping Activities to Experience While You are in Utah

"It's information like this, exclusively on Utah.com, that will enable visitors to plan memorable experiences, rather than vanilla vacations," said Taylor. "Today's best travel writing is done by locals who know, love and live in the area they're writing about."

Readers will see a new tone in the Utah.com brand voice, which is not afraid to say, "Go here, not there!" and "Do this, not this!" Utah.com's fresh, and fun new voice will add an authentic feel to their user-friendly content.

With a unique new approach to advertising and unbiased content that champions the experiential travel trend, Utah.com is setting the standard for travel and tourism websites around the world.

Deseret Digital Media

Deseret Digital Media is Utah's largest digital media company and receives more than 330 million monthly page views, reaches nearly 100 million global followers and generates 850 million monthly ad impressions. The company operates the online properties of Utah's NBC affiliate, KSL, including KSL.com, the network's breaking news site, and KSL Marketplace, the only classifieds hub in the U.S. that locally outperforms national online classifieds competitors. Deseret Digital Media also operates DeseretNews.com and National.DeseretNews.com, the regional and national online editions of the Deseret News, Utah's first news organization and longest continuously operating business. The company also owns the FamilyShare Network, a global content platform in multiple languages offering practical advice on family-related topics, and Utah.com, the state's no. 1 travel and tourism clearinghouse. Deseret Digital Media also operates Publisher Solutions, a business-to-business media services agency. Publisher Solutions' suite of services includes BrandForge, a native advertising and content studio; Deseret Connect, a remote contributor platform; and Deseret News Service, a syndication service.