Value found in tourism
A good economic development plan is focused on two fronts: attracting new business and growing existing ones. In Fayette County, for too many years the tourism industry was asleep. A gradual awakening started when the people who live and work here began recognizing the beauty and potential that visitors have noticed for a long time.
But it will take a united effort to fully develop the potential to attract tourists and keep them here for more than just a day.
To that end, the third annual Tourism Summit, coordinated by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to be held April 7 at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa. The first two years of the Tourism Summit found many enthusiasts from politicians to those who run mom-and-pop businesses who would like to capture a larger market.
From those summits, the county pooled resources, found sponsors and developed a Historic Fayette County Guide, along with a number of good ideas that deserve pursuing. This year though, pre-registration is falling far short of last year’s pace when 300 people attended. The reason for this is not known, but it could be that people aren’t seeing immediate results and wonder why they should bother.
What needs to be kept in mind is that change evolves slowly. One splashy gesture, such as the guide book, is not enough to sustain continued growth. The best course is to keep steady in efforts, and work as a unit in tying all the wonderful historic and natural beauties together so that visitors are enticed to expand their plans to include more than a one-destination stop.
This year is especially important as the 84 Lumber PGA Golf Classic will bring in thousands during September. Good planning now will go a long way to luring many of those visitors off the Nemacolin grounds to sample some of the other nearby gems at Ohiopyle, Fallingwater, Fort Necessity, and the number of small shops offering goods.
The Tourism Summit this year promises a session to help businesses prepare for the tournament. Those with a stake in the county’s tourism industry would do well to call the chamber to make a reservation to attend the summit. It will certainly be good for business.