Rural Real Solutions: Nature Tourism and Economic Development

Many isolated rural areas are losing population and the economic sources of revenue that go with it. At the same time, urban America is swelling and demanding more and more contact with the outdoors. The solution? Connect the millions of nature-hungry city dwellers with the incomparably rich natural resources of rural America.

Six years ago, Fermata and the state of Texas embarked on a program to put rural coastal communities into direct contact with the 54 million Americans who birdwatch. The result: the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. Since its inception, the state has distributed more than 300,000 maps, and visitation along the 508-mile trail is estimated at several times that number. The average nature tourist following the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail spends about $90 per day, for an average trip of three days.

Initially skeptical communities, after seeing the influx of birders into their towns, have become believers.

Initially skeptical communities, after seeing the influx of birders into their towns, have become believers. Numerous towns have purchased additional land to expand the birds’ habitat, and recognition of the tourism dollars can be seen in birder-friendly signs, festivals and town mascots along the trail. Local residents now have a dependable revenue stream, and habitat is being aggressively protected. And the real proof that nature tourism works can be seen by Texas’ plan to expand the trail to cover virtually the entire state.

The same principles are true for the Virginia Creeper mountain biking trail. The tiny town of Damascus, Virginia has been transformed into a thriving center for cycling recreation. This town of about 300 residents now supports one pro-cycling shop, six shuttle services, numerous bed and breakfasts and a trailside catering service. The community aggressively protects its resources, because the resource brings in revenue.

Unlike traditional policies that mandate conservation, the new environmentalism realizes that protection must go hand-in-hand with community development.

Unlike traditional policies that mandate conservation, the new environmentalism realizes that protection must go hand-in-hand with community development. Simply telling people to love the land without giving them any benefits from it, or by actively removing the land from their use, has not worked in many places. It is only by linking local residents with their resources through nature tourism that the interests of both community and environment can best be served. Nature tourism is simply another economic development tool, bringing with it jobs and revenue.

Nature tourism differs from traditional attraction-based tourism, because the attraction is the natural habitat as it is. It does not cost money to build, and the minimal improvements that need to be made — signage, roadside pullouts, feeders — can be inexpensively done, and can often be funded by public agencies. The people engaged in this type of tourism tend to be educated and ready to spend.

The success of the Texas birding trail has been so significant that Florida, Virginia and California are planning to develop trails on the Texas model. Nor is it limited to North America. Guatemala’s national tourism agency is considering an avitourism plan for the entire country.

These trails do not run themselves. They require marketing, maps, guidebooks and local commitment to the idea that nature tourism is worthwhile. Focused marketing efforts and coordination among the various stakeholders is critical. Yet successful projects in a wide variety of communities have shown that minimal investment and maximal commitment can yield lasting economic benefits to the people and to the land on which they live.

Editor’s Note:-This article was written by Seth Davidson, Vice President of Fermata Inc., a company involved in nature tourism development. Visit their website www.fermatainc.com or call (512) 450-0313. This article is intended to create discussion and debate.It does not represent the official position of the Economic Development Digest or any of its funders. We encourage reaction to this and other articles.

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