Norwich officials to promote tourism

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Norwich officials are working to try and promote tourism through the 395 corridor.

Folks at the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce have a new way to promote tourism. Instead of hitting the airways they are going to be hitting the roadways.

They're calling this the Renaissance Collaborative and the reason News 8's was at the American Ambulance garage is because the owner of this company here in Norwich has donated one of his vehicles to become sort of a rolling kiosk.

The van will be wrapped around with pictures of area attractions and folks who come to the van and see it at different events at fairs and also other attractions around the area will be able to come up, take a look at the computer screens, and check out what attractions they might like to see and when they leave they'll actually even be able to take a paper pamphlet so they'll have information right in their hand.

"Let's say they're from the Woodstock fair they want to come to Norwich. We'll be able to give them MapQuest, literature, say Slater Museum. We'll use the touch kiosk for information they'll get when they travel down here so it's all at their fingers," said Ben Lathrop of Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We think it's very fitting, a vehicle that once was helping people is now helping our community promote itself," said Michael Aliano of the American Ambulance.

The former ambulance has been stripped of all its medical equipment and soon it will be filled with computer equipment and also informational packets so folks coming to see this rolling kiosk will be able to leave with information about attractions here in the greater Norwich area.