The Canton City Council meeting held on July 3, 2025, featured a significant presentation from the Canton tourism board, highlighting the growth and marketing strategies of Explore Canton. The meeting commenced with a warm welcome to guests and a detailed overview of the tourism board's progress over the past year.

The presentation began with an update on the Explore Canton website, which has seen remarkable growth since its launch two years ago. The site now attracts 86,000 users annually, marking a 244% increase from its initial year. Impressions on Google have surged from 700,000 to 2.5 million, indicating a substantial rise in visibility. The tourism board emphasized the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in achieving this growth, as it has helped position Explore Canton as a reliable resource for local information.

Key events that have driven traffic to the website include the River Rock Festival, Christmas in Canton, and the Canton Farmers Market. The presentation noted that approximately 40% of website visitors come from Atlanta, with additional traffic from states like Florida and South Carolina. The board is now focusing on expanding its marketing efforts to reach audiences beyond a 50-mile radius through paid advertisements.

Social media engagement has also seen significant improvement, with Facebook followers increasing from 1,600 to 3,900 and Instagram following a similar upward trend. The tourism board reported a 63% open rate for its newsletters, which is notably higher than the industry average.

The economic impact of tourism in Cherokee County was another focal point of the meeting. In 2023, visitor spending reached $206.1 million, a 9.3% increase from the previous year, generating $16.1 million in tax revenue. This growth is expected to continue, with hotel stays increasing from 65,000 in 2022 to an anticipated 91,000 in 2025.

Future initiatives discussed included the development of a new visitor's guide, billboards to promote Canton, and partnerships with local businesses to enhance marketing efforts. The council expressed appreciation for the tourism board's work and acknowledged the positive economic contributions of tourism to the community.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from June 5, followed by a unanimous vote in favor. The council looks forward to further developments in Canton’s tourism efforts and their impact on the local economy.