MILFORD, PA — Spring can’t be far away, because the seventh annual “Pike County Visitors Guide & Map” is now in production.

The Hotel Tax Board and the commissioners are again producing the free award-winning county resource “to help visitors and tourists stay and play here in our adventurous county,” said Bridget Gelderman of the sponsoring Pike County Hotel Tax Board.

She pitched the new tourism guide at the February 18 meeting of the county commissioners.

Gelderman said the guide is dedicated to tourism and “all the great things to see and do in the county,” and complements the website www.discoverpikepa.com.

The annual guide is funded in part by the Pike County room tax collected by each lodging facility in the county.

Gelderman said the visitors guide, map and website are favorite go-to resources for prospective and current visitors to the area. “They can plan a trip and be able to see everything Pike County and the surrounding area has to offer,” she said.

Commissioners Chair Rich Caridi offered the commissioners’ thanks to the hotel board for its continuing efforts to bring tourists and recreational visitors to Pike.

Commissioner Matt Osterberg noted continuing efforts, including the county’s expanding participation at Harrisburg’s annual Great American Outdoor Show, which he called “a great venue for Pike County.”

Part of Gelderman’s message was in telling local tourism-related businesses to get listed in the guide and reminding others to keep their information up to date, “in order for these planning tools to be as comprehensive as possible.”

Advertising also pays part of the guide’s cost. “Because of the hotel tax funding, we are able to offer a free listing for tourism-related businesses in the guide and on the website, plus full-color advertising at very reasonable rates,” she said.

The 2015-2016 visitors guide will continue to have a digital focus on discovering Pike County by complementing the social media landscape, allowing visitors to utilize the website, their smart phones, tablets and social media while planning their trip or while in the county. “The guide is a great companion piece to the website and includes QR codes, business listings, enhanced editorial and coupons to complement advertisements,” she said.

Some 40,000 guides and 80,000 maps will be printed and distributed to more than 300 locations throughout Northeastern PA, New York and New Jersey, at interstate welcome centers and at Pocono Mountain tourist information centers.

The guide will be accessible on the website, and through social media, on computers, smartphones and tablets. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is also taking an active role in distributing the guide and map.

Bailey Design & Advertising is again handling publication of the guide and map. For more information about advertising or how to get a free listing in the guide or website, email info@discoverpikepa.com or call Bailey Design & Advertising at 570/251-1512.