The stage is set for tourism in Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Wayne counties beginning February 13 with the first of three regional workshops to develop small business and economic development opportunities in the four county area.
Even if you think your business is not traditionally part of tourism, it is affected by tourism dollars and traffic in your community. Everyone will benefit from the research that will be presented in this series of workshops. When tourism dollars come into a community, it affects everyone, from the grocery store to the gas stations.
The February 13, workshop features the Top Trends in Travel and Tourism. Learn the top trends that are driving travel and tourism today, how they affect region, and how you can take advantage of these trends to build your tourism-related business. These trends show the most recent data for various sectors of the travel industry, as well as explaining how these trends are likely affecting travelers in your destination.
Key learning points to be covered in this workshop include:
*Industry statistics for airlines, hotels, attractions, cruise lines, etc.
*Travel Industry performance since 2000
*How each sector of the travel and tourism industry is performing – and is projected to perform over the coming year
* Population projections and shifts occurring throughout the Southeast
* Trends in family travel
* Niche tourism in the Southeast
* Affects of these trends on your destination and YOUR business
* New and developing trends to watch
The remaining workshops will focus on Generational Marketing-March 12, and Growing Your Business with Research-April 17. Each Workshop begins at 8:00AM and ends at 2:00PM. All three workshops will be held at the Perry County Community Development Center, 113 Factory Street in Linden. All workshops are free.
The workshops will be conducted by Judy Randall. Judy is a “Travel Industry Futurist” and researcher who spent over 25 years capturing the voice of the customer. She is president and CEO of Randall Travel Marketing, Inc., a company that focuses solely on research for the travel and tourism industry. She has conducted comprehensive visitor research studies for over 100 small, medium and large destinations. Judy, along with Dr. Larry Gustke, co-authors the annual Top Ten Trends in Travel and Tourism (published annually since 1995). Judy is one of the top speakers in the travel industry and has spoken at numerous U.S. and international travel conferences.
The workshops are sponsored by the Buffalo/Duck River RC&D Council, USDA Rural Development and the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance.
Small businesses, chambers of commerce, economic and community development councils and local governments and agencies are encouraged to attend.
To attend the February 13 Workshop, please RSVP the Buffalo/Duck River RC&D Council-PH 931/729-2686 EXT.110, FAX 931/729-5786 or Email: sharon.englett@tn.usda.gov or larry.lofton@tn.usda.gov
