The Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway announces the debut of its online interactive map, a first for Kansas byways.
 The map is easy to use and offers visitors a fun and powerful tool to help plan their trip in advance, according to Jenna Miller, tourism activities coordinator at the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The map will also be a beneficial resource for visitors once they are in the region, Miller said. The iMap controls provide the ability to navigate the map with ease, connecting visitors with the many assets of the byway and its corridor communities of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend, Hoisington, Hudson, Stafford and St. John.
The map provides categories of where to stay; where to eat; what to do, including community events; and where to shop. The listings consist of comprehensive information including addresses, phone numbers, websites, emails and hours of operation. In addition, the iMap provides expanded functionality that traditional maps cannot offer such as GPS coordinates, websites, virtual tours, images, videos and details that allow trip planners to create and share customizable itineraries or download ready-made itineraries.
 “We are very excited to have this expanded online service available for all visitors to our region,” said Loren Unruh, chairman of the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau. “As a hotel owner, I am also glad to have this resource available for staff.  They can use the Imap to assist visitors and answer specific questions for the entire byway region.”
 Currently, the map can be found at www.VisitGreatBend.com and will soon be accessible from many of the corridor community’s sites as well as the byway website, www.KansasByway.com. The map is also available on the mobile site, m.visitgreatbend.com.
 For more information about the Interactive Map and the byway’s online tourism efforts, contact the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau, cvb@visitgreatbend.com, 620-792-2750.