Portland, Oregon has become the first U.S. city to launch an official "Twisitor Center." This cyber-style cousin to the more traditional walk-in visitor information center relies on Twitter technology to connect travelers with those who can answer their questions and help plan their trips. (Twitter is a free social-networking service that allows subscribers to send and receive short, real-time updates, messages and questions.)
Twitter-users seeking information on Portland can add #inpdx to their messages and questions. Tweets tagged with this code (also called a "hash tag") are sought out by Twisitor Center staff members who then send back suggestions. But the beauty of Twitter is that other users who aren’t affiliated with Travel Portland or the Twisitor Center can also chime in with additional tips. So, if a traveler tweets "Need a good BBQ place in Portland #inpdx," she could end up with suggestions from not only the Twisitor Center but also from anyone else - Portland residents, foodies, fellow travelers - in the Twitter community.
In addition to responding to questions from visitors, Travel Portland's Twitter stream will include several proactive tweets per day, covering such pre-defined topics as wine and craft beer, green travel, special deals, dining, and recreation.
Click here for a short explanation of what Twitter is and how it can be used
Follow Travel Portland's Twitter stream by clicking here
This is fantastic! I love that Portland is first. Keep up the good work, Travel Portland!