As the Washington area looks to the future in 2017, so do its marketing plans.

The Washington Tourism Development Authority is gearing up for another year, and the group plans to focus more on written pieces about Washington, rather than paid advertisements, according to WTDA Director Lynn Wingate.

In July, WTDA began working with the Raleigh-based firm French/West/Vaughan to connect Washington with travel writers and publications, according to Wingate.

Wingate said that while advertisements are effective marketing tools, it is beneficial for those interested in Washington to hear about its assets from a third party who has visited.

“It gives a little more credibility,” Wingate said. “An op-ed or a feature on a blog, someone telling a story of that nature.”

She said tourism officials have already hosted one travel writer and have facilitated Washington’s inclusion in Triangle-area blog stories.

“Really trying to capture that editorial coverage,” Wingate said. “We’ve been working with (FWV) and pitching different story ideas.”

A more local initiative is to place more emphasis on WTDA’s community calendar, which will help promote events and things to do in the area, according to Wingate.

“That’s something we already offer, but (we’re) trying to amp it up a little bit,” she said.

Yet another project to bring people to Washington focuses on permanent residency, rather than tourism. In June, the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Harbor District Alliance presented plans for Washington to become Retire NC certified.

By entering into a five-year, $10,000 contract (plus subsequent marketing fees), certified cities gain more visibility as places to retire through statewide marketing efforts.

In November, the City Council jumped on board by voting 4-1 to allot $2,000 to go toward the certification program. WTDA is also helping with this initiative.

Chamber Executive Director Catherine Glover said previously that other Retire NC communities spoke highly of the program and felt the price tag was worth it. The designated steering committee had already raised most of the initial $10,000 by October.

Wingate said there is an annual tourism conference coming up in Greenville in March, and she hopes to make more connections with publications and their writers.

She said 2017 would involve a lot of meetings and planning to help these projects take off.

“We’re very excited,” Wingate said.