Tourism

These projects and programs effectively use marketing, scenic byways, heritage corridors and collaboration as tools to make tourism development cost efficient and strategic. All enhance economic and community development opportunities.

The Central Arizona Association of Governments devised the Regional Tourism Marketing Strategy as an economic diversification and job creation measure for their rural two-county region. This Strategy documents natural and historic resources, special events, and tourist-support facilities. Regional strengths and weaknesses were also identified and analyzed. This Strategy has laid the foundation for continued discussion about regional tourism issues. No such vehicle for tourism-related communication existed prior to this project. The EDA has approved an application to develop and implement the strategy’s “Theme Marketing” elements.

The Western Minnesota Prairie Waters Regional Tourism Program cooperatively markets the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission’s five-county region to potential tourists and businesses as a travel destination. The program was designed and implemented by the Upper Minnesota Valley RDC to pool resources and make marketing feasible for their rural communities. Cooperatively, the program can reach outside markets and offer more attractions. Marketing techniques used include print advertisements, Web site, travel shows and full-time staff. A 2001 marketing study showed that for every program dollar spent, $30.50 was generated.

The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Intergovernmental Cooperation initiative and its partners (14 counties, 40 communities and volunteer board) and project administrator, the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Valley Development Commission, are encouraging economic development through the promotion, preservation and protection of the valley along the 287-mile byway. Since 1995, the regional development commission has assisted with the administration of meetings, projects and grant writing. The successes, such as an increase in active volunteers and over $450,000 in planning grant awards, help substantiate its designation as a Federal Highway Administration national byway.

The Utah Heritage Highway 89 alliance has goals and objectives that not only emphasize heritage development but also are likely to initiate economic and community development, such as obtaining grants to market the region as a tourism destination and stimulating job creation by having alliance partners assist in supporting individual artisans and artisan co-ops. Designation as a national heritage area will bring $1 million per year for ten years to the region. Project co-sponsors include the Six County Economic Development District and Panoramaland Resource Conservation and Development Council.

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