Tourism

Film, culture, heritage, recreation and theme planning are the mediums through which these projects have launched regional tourism marketing. Using technology and prior experience, regional development organizations are leading tourism programs into new markets.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board, in California, developed Tourism and Film Marketing in Sonoma County Local Industry Partnerships to increase promotion of the county as a filming location. The Board, private sector and public sector agreed to separate the county’s film and tourism programs. The film program gained resources, a new website, annual workshop, an online nine-city “consolidated filming permit” and aggressive advertising campaign. Results include a 13 percent increase in the local filming payroll and increased television filming values from $42,000 to $110,000.

Eastern Maine Development Corporation Maine Highlands Area Brochure.

Creating a generic, easy-to-use Design Guidelines Manual for Coastal Communities along the Highway 17 corridor has been key to Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center’s economic development planning, improving community appearances and promoting rural tourism for the coastal region. The regional development center worked with a private firm to create the manual, in conjunction with the tri-state heritage corridor project (Interstate 95). The manual offers uniform image recommendations such as using themed architecture and signage standards.

Marketing culture as a tourism draw is the foundation of the Cultural Development Supporting Rural Economic Development in Maine directive. Developed by the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, the directive has assembled resource tools, such as a cultural assets inventory, micro-business plans and successful application to the National Council for the Traditional Arts to host the National Folk Festival in Bangor. Funding has come from the Fund for Folk Culture, U.S. Housing and Urban Development, state and others.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Interactive Mapping Website is a recreational and tourism promotional project by the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission in Minnesota. The website is designed to serve the Boundary Water area’s 180,000 annual recreational users, giving them virtual access to the area’s 1,200 miles of waterway routes and 70 miles hiking/skiing trails maintained by the National Forest Service. Detailed topographic maps, campsite locations and portage lengths are among the website’s various information items.

Sonoma County Economic Development Board, Creating Effective Tourism and Film Marketing in Sonoma County through Local Industry Partnerships. Contact: Ben Stone, 401 College Ave., Suite D, Santa Rosa, CA 95401-5148; 707/565-7170; fax 707/565-7231; email bstone@sonoma-county.org;
web www.sonoma-county.org/edb