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06/14/2022 03:45 PMThe town’s Information Kiosk in downtown has opened for the season, hopefully hearkening in a summer season that will finally be free of pandemic restrictions and cancellations. The kiosk, located at 32 Church Street, has become a vital resource for not only tourists visiting the town, but for residents alike who want to find out about events and activities.
The kiosk was first erected in 2015 by the Guilford Preservation Alliance (GPA), which maintains the kiosk and its staffing. GPA board member and Economic Development Commission Chair Wendy Dockray said the idea was brought to fruition after studying what type of tourist and what information visitors to Guilford needed.
“As a result of two years of study…that focused on heritage tourism, it was decided that an information booth and kiosk would be a positive asset in that direction,” said Dockray. “The alliance raised $115,000 to cover the cost and the town provided the land and we got it done. Having this information center is a real positive to encourage heritage tourism and for the local economy.”
An outdoor automated access point at the kiosk that allows visitors to search on their own or find info when the kiosk is not staffed, according to Dockray. There’s also a large map on the side of the building allowing visitors to research sites and activities.
Dockray said that heritage tourism is a burgeoning industry and that Guilford is becoming a destination for a wide variety of visitors coming to town to experience all that Guilford has to offer.
“Tourism is a very important part of the economy here; it is one of the main drivers,” Dockray said. “Tourism is so important for local businesses, our restaurants, our shops, and for events on the green and elsewhere, tourism plays a very important part in of that. Making sure that when people come here, that they can explore and know how to get there is very beneficial. I’ve been in Guilford for six years, but I actually learned a huge amount about Guilford myself in helping to organize for this year. It’s not only a great resource for tourists but for people who live here as well.”
Visitors from across the country and globe have come to Guilford and used the kiosk. The Guilford site had more than 40,000 visitors last year alone, according to Dockray.
The kiosk is staffed by an all-volunteer crew that is critical to the operation of the booth, Dockray said. The GPA is currently looking for more volunteers who would be willing to staff the site and possibly allow for extended hours of operation.
“We have had visitors from as far away as Vietnam and Australia, and in this country, from Alabama, Montana, and Oregon. So, Guilford really is a huge draw when it comes to heritage tourism. There is so much to offer here in our town,” said Dockray. “The booth is a great way for any visitor to engage with our community, and again even residents might find something new with the information we can provide.”
“There are a number of [volunteer] slots in late July and August that we need filled, so we are definitely looking for volunteers. We are fortunate in that we have two high schoolers from Guilford High School who will be part of the program this year, Charlie Kelly and Madison Hutchens. They have both become integral to this season’s staffing,” Dockray said.
Located next to the Community Center on Church Street, the kiosk will be staffed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Starting in late June, the kiosk will expand afternoon hours. Anyone seeking more information about volunteering can contact Wendy Dockray via email at wjdockray@gmail.com.