KINGSTON — The North Kitsap Tourism Consortium has announced a new campaign and branding strategy to help increase tourism in North Kitsap County.

The effort re-brands the area as “Washington’s Sanctuary Shore” with each of the area’s six communities — Kingston, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Hansville, Port Gamble, and Suquamish — playing a distinct role.

Created for the consortium by renowned travel expert Roger Brooks, the new campaign is intended to help differentiate the North Kitsap Peninsula as a unique destination for day trips and overnight stays.

There are also elements that encourage local residents to keep as much of their money here in the local community, thus encouraging economic growth by strengthening existing businesses and potentially creating small business opportunities.

Brooks, who came up with the concept of “Washington’s Sanctuary Shore” after a year of work with the consortium and the communities it represents, explained the concept this way:

“If there was ever a place that breathed ‘sanctuary,’ this is the place and it starts when you get on the ferry (from Seattle or Edmonds),” he said. “Fifty-four percent of the people in the United States are very concerned with the stress in their lives. For those on the other side of the water, the answer to relieving that was just 30 minutes away.”

“Washington’s Sanctuary Shore” is meant to serve as an umbrella moniker for each of the area’s towns and communities. Each, in turn, will adopt their own identity under the “sanctuary” theme and will work together, through the consortium, to create packages and marketing campaigns to entice tourists to the area.

While the individual community identities are still being worked out, some have already been decided upon. For example, Bainbridge Island is planning to focus on its culinary and food-related attributes, while Kingston wants to create an atmosphere for families and children under the name of “Forest and Cove Adventures.”

“The North Kitsap Peninsula really is the perfect sanctuary,” said Nancy Langwith, who led the consortium during the campaign creation.

“Serene waterfront beauty, charming towns, rejuvenating activities — there’s something here for everyone. We’re a diverse set of communities and the goal here is to use this to our advantage.”

As a part of this campaign, the consortium has adopted a new logo. Plans are in place to update its website to reflect the “Washington’s Sanctuary Shore” concept, which will also be tied into the consortium’s social media and newsletter efforts. The new website can be found at www.wasanctuaryshore.com.

Formed in May 2011, the consortium is a collaborative effort by leaders from the group’s partner communities, which include Kingston, Poulsbo, Hansville, Bainbridge Island, and Port Gamble as well as the Suquamish Tribe and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.

The consortium was formed to more effectively promote the area’s diverse cultures, many land and water trails, beautiful scenery, and multitude of tourism and outdoor adventure options.