A campaign is underway to encourage more western P.E.I. businesses and tourist operators to use social media to promote their operations, and draw more people to the area.
The non-profit group Tignish Initiatives launched a website called Tignisharea.com.
It encourages businesses to use the web, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as a cost-effective way to get the word out about what they have to offer.
"We want to work together as a group to network and bring more people to area, and keep them here longer, and spend more money and that sort of thing," said Anne Arsenault, general manager for Tignish Initiatives.
The group sent a letter to community members asking them to tweet or post anything online that would showcase any otherwise hidden gems that people should know about Tignish.
"Well that's the great thing about it, like the web you don't have to be in an urban area, you know highly populated area to be able to access and utilise all this technology, so it's a great opportunity for us," Arsenault said.
Promotion in Tignish can be challenging and costly, according to the group, and officials say it’s a great way to attract first time visitors without spending a lot of money.
Tignish council is helping get the initiative off the ground.
Gerard LeClair, chairman for Tignish Community Council, agrees that harnessing the power of social media marketing is the way to go. "You have to use means that are cost-effective, and to be able to reach the biggest audience at the best cost," LeClair said. "It's the way to go in today's world."
It's already working — LeClair said the social media boom has generated more hype for this weekend's Maritime Ball Tournament.
He said he's anxious to draw more people to Tignish.
"You bring people into the community, you show them what you have to offer, you show them a good time and hopefully they'll return," he said.