Transcript Developing Tourism in Rural Communities

Developing Tourism in Rural
Communities
Geotourism: The New Trend in Travel
• At least 55.1 Million Americans Classified as Geotourists
• 80% of those surveyed highly value outstanding scenery
• 74% prefer educational experiences
• 61% believe their experience is better when destination preserves
its natural, historic & cultural sites
• 58% view travel as an opportunity to try local foods and cuisine
• 50% feel it’s important to learn about people with ethnic heritages
different from their own and to experience the local culture
Through Geotourists’ Eyes
Residents take their surroundings
for granted.
Become a tourist in your own
community.
Take stock of assets that conjure a
unique sense of place.
What Makes Your Community/Region
Unique?
Environmental Assets
Mountains
Geologic Formations
Lakes/Rivers
Parks
Campgrounds
Old Growth Forest; Petrified Forest
Outdoor Recreation
Hiking
Cycling/Mountain Bike Riding
River Floating/Boating/Canoeing
Wind Surfing
Golf
Fishing
Camping
Agriculture/Culinary
Growers
Dairies
Cheese Producers
Wineries/Vineyards
Breweries
Farmers’ Markets
Road Side Stands
U-Pick Produce/Flowers
Restaurants
Heritage/Culture
Historic Sites/Landmarks/Buildings
History/Heritage Tours
Interpretive Centers
Pioneer Cemeteries
Museums
Art Exhibits
Tribal Culture
Ethnic Influences
Events
Lodging Venues
• Unique Local (B&Bs, Historic Inns)
• Family-Friendly
• Pet-Friendly
• Group Accommodations
• Convenient Locations
• Amenities
People
Tour Leaders
Historians
Farmers
Winemakers
Chefs, Restaurant Owners
Lodging Managers, Hosts
Event Organizers
Tribal Leaders
Youth Leaders
Partnering & Packaging
3-3-Sleep
Collaborate to create memorable
experiences
Expand Your Knowledge Base
• Collect information that is useful to tourists
and potential partnering organizations.
• Consider establishing a stakeholder group
Mission: To define, promote and celebrate the Olympic Peninsula’s unique
culinary experience, educate consumers, and ultimately establish the region as a
niche destination to enhance economic development and the region’s tourism
product.
• Started with an “interest meeting” hosted by Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau
• Invited participants included growers, seafood suppliers, wineries, restaurant
owners, chefs, lodging venues, destination marketing organizations.
• Purpose of Meeting: Bring to forefront need for cross-industry collaboration to
create, package & promote unique culinary experiences to raise visibility of region
as culinary tourism destination
• Evolved to formal 501 (c) 6 Organization
• Much collaboration centered around website
Creating Authentic Experiences
1.
Culinary/Agritourism (3-3-Sleep)
Breakfast at a local B&B or Inn featuring farm-fresh eggs, locally-grown produce
and fruit, muffins fresh from a local bakery.
Farm Tour followed by a trip to Farmer’s Market led by a local chef; shop with chef
for produce and herbs to be used in cooking demonstration/class at local
restaurant.
Enjoy lunch paired with local wines.
Day hike or cycling followed by visit to a local winery or two .
Dinner at restaurant featuring a local specialty dish.
Return to B&B for coffee and conversation with hosts & other guests.
Creating Authentic Experiences
III. Outdoor Adventurists (3-3-Sleep)
Hearty breakfast at a local restaurant featuring locally-grown produce, fruit &
berries, “local specialty dishes,” fresh breads/breakfast pastries baked in-house
or from local bakery.
White Water Rafting or Kayaking Trip
Stop by Farmers’ Market and pick-up picnic lunch; enjoy at a local park.
Day hike or mountain bike ride on local trails.
Dinner at restaurant featuring authentic Mexican food.
Dance to live music at local pub.
Sleep at local Inn.
Creating Authentic Experiences
II. Heritage Tourism (3-3-Sleep)
Breakfast featuring farm-fresh eggs, locally-grown produce and fruit, and freshbaked breads at restaurant located in a historic building.
Guided tour of historic buildings & sites (Guide should be a knowledgeable
storyteller).
Lunch at a local “hole in the wall” known for a specialty dish.
After Lunch Activity: ???
Grab dinner at a local fair or community event/celebration.
Sleep at historic inn or B&B.
Creating Authentic Experiences:
An Exercise
• Package TWO authentic experiences that your community can offer
tourists.
• Work alone or in groups with others located in your community or
region
• Target TWO different tourism niches
• Follow 3-3-Sleep Pattern
• Share
Another Sample Itinerary
Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau & Jefferson County Tourism
Coordinating Council Spring Marketing Campaign
• Radio Promotional Opportunity: Outdoor Getaway Gift Basket
• Cycling Theme; Must Represent Jefferson & Clallam Counties
• Long Weekend or Multiple Trip Package
• Suggested Itinerary
• Vendor Contribution
Day 1: Check in at the Resort at Port Ludlow.
Enjoy cycling quiet roads surrounding this golf and recreational community; walk the
interpretive path to Ludlow Falls.
Drive to Port Townsend and explore the town; visit PT Cyclery and purchase cycling
necessities with gift certificate.
Stop in Port Hadlock for dinner at the Ajax Café.
Day 2: Morning drive to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center in Blyn. Park and access the paved
Olympic Discovery Trail.
Ride trail to John Wayne Marina and enjoy lunch at the Dockside Grill.
Continue on Olympic Discovery Trail through Sequim to Port Angeles. Stop for dinner in town.
Continue on trail to Inn at Rooster Hill, Port Angeles (ride is approx. 23 miles).
Day 3: Ride to Adventure Bike Tours in Port Angeles for half-day guided mountain bike tour
on Olympic Discover Trail Adventure Route (sack lunch provided by Inn at Rooster Hill).
Lunch and afternoon wine tasting at Harbinger Winery (nextdoor to Adventure Bike Tours).
Ride Olympic Discovery Trail back to Port Angeles for dinner, then on to the
George Washington Inn for overnight stay.
Day 4 Ride back to Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center and pick-up car.
Our Community at Work: Painting the Town
•
Community collaboration project to beautify Port Angeles’ historic
downtown core
•
Turned negative situation (imposed period of isolation due to bridge
Hood Canal Bridge closure) into a positive opportunity
•
Initiated by two local “movers and shakers”
•
Started with stakeholder meetings
•
Outreach to Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce, building
and business owners, architects and interior designers, suppliers
(building supply, millwork, paint and hardware businesses), restaurants,
food banks, community organizations, youth groups, individuals, local
artists, media
Our Community at Work: Painting the
Town
• Followed Adopt-A-Building Concept
• Volunteer steering committee organized volunteer workers,
packaged supplies and food donations to feed the workers
• Local artists helped fill vacant storefront windows with painted
murals and “art barrels” (auctioned in fall to support new Arts
Council)
• Between April 2009 – October 2009, 41 buildings were scrubbed,
polished & painted and landscapes cleaned-up and replanted
• Process included lessons learned, celebration and a Beautification
Award
Our Community at Work: Painting the Town
Conclusion
Partnering and Packaging are Powerful Tools for
Developing Tourism in Rural Communities