The Delaware River region is now one of 23 locations around the world with its own National Geographic Geotourism MapGuide, a website that advertises the area’s recreational opportunities, events, and accommodations to tourists seeking “culturally and naturally authentic places.”
The launch comes after a six-month nomination process of local businesses, events, and attractions that a committee of local stakeholders, along with National Geographic Maps and the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA), vetted.
While National Geographic Maps and the NPCA got the website up and running with funding from the William Penn and Claneil Foundations, it is going to be maintained by the local committee, called the Scenic, Wild Delaware River Geotourism Stewardship Council.
The Stewardship Council has about 30 members and recently chose a chair and two vice chair’s to lead the organization. In addition to the MapGuide, they are getting behind events like a river cleanup with Kittatinny Canoes in Milford, Pennsylvania in July and a 100-mile paddle challenge in August put on by the National Park Service.
The website will be maintained by staff from the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, which manages other websites in the area.
The “Scenic, Wild Delaware River” MapGuide encompasses the middle and upper Delaware River, including the national parks the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic River.
