The Chamber of Catawba County’s Post

Join us next Tuesday, March 26th for this month's Chamber Roundtable program: THE TOURISM ECONOMY. Travel Lane County, the local authority on tourism, will kick off this program with a comprehensive presentation on the local tourism economy. Drawing upon their expertise and insights, they will explore the current landscape of tourism in our region, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/g48-r8Rt The Roundtable will include an interactive discussion with participants on two areas of opportunity for boosting our local economy through the tourism industry. Participants will explore: --Assets that currently drive winter demand, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. --The power of digital platforms in reaching and engaging with visitors. Leveraging insights from external marketing campaigns and visitor data, we’ll discuss innovative approaches to digital marketing and collaborative initiatives. Program Speakers: Kari Westlund, Andy Vobora, and Natalie Inouye #SpringfieldOregonChamber #WeOpenDoors #SpringfieldOregon #Roundtable #Tourism #Economy #TravelLaneCounty

Travel is essential to every state and countless destinations across the nation, just like here in Thurston County! Travel is an industry that powers our economy and connects our country. In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re sharing some facts highlighting our industry’s undeniable impact. Did you know in 2023…? - Of the millions of visitors to Thurston County, it resulted in $548.4 million in direct spending. -Thurston County’s tourism industry directly supports 4,074 jobs in the county. -Thurston County’s tourism industry contributed $54.9 million in direct state and local tax revenues. Source: Tourism Economics, 2023 #NTTW24

Is Florida tourism bouncing back stronger than ever? With a record-breaking 34.2 million visitors in Q2 2024, Florida saw a 1.64% increase compared to the same period last year. Domestic travelers, who made up 92% of this total, were a key driver. This growth highlights Florida as a top destination, but there's still work to be done to regain pre-pandemic international visitor levels. Visit Florida's ongoing efforts and strategic marketing investments are crucial in ensuring that our state remains a premier travel destination worldwide. How do you think this tourism boost will impact our local communities and economy? #FloridaTourism #TravelIndustry #EconomicGrowth #VisitorStatistics #RealEstate

69% of Montana residents agree that the overall benefits of tourism outweigh the negative impacts. Have you read our recent report, "Montana Residents' Attitudes Towards Tourism - 2023"? Overall, results from this study display that, in general, Montana residents hold a positive attitude towards tourism within the state. Similar to results in previous years, residents are aware of the economic benefit that tourism provides to their communities and agree that the overall benefits outweigh the negative impacts. In addition, perceptions of crowding at a statewide level and community level appear to be easing from record highs in recent years. Click here to read the report: https://loom.ly/DPDtwfI #montana #tourism #research

The North Bay Business Journal recently spotlighted our annual Destination Symposium, where President & CEO Linsey Gallagher presented vital insights on the impact of tourism within the region. A standout figure: in 2023, visitor spending reached $7 million per day, an impressive amount that some destinations generate over the course of a year.   Gallagher also highlighted the significant role of Napa Valley’s overnight visitors, who made up only 38% of last year’s visitors and were responsible for the majority of spending. “Their contribution is crucial to the continued growth of our local economy,” Gallagher noted, underscoring how this supports Napa Valley’s long-term prosperity and enhances the quality of life for our residents.   Tourism remains a cornerstone of economic vitality in Napa Valley, driving local business success and contributing directly to the well-being of our community.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gshkpwNZ?   #VisitNapaValley #TourismGrowth #DestinationSymposium #SupportLocal

You need a business case for planning permission for tourism accommodation for four reasons. Are you considering setting up new tourist accommodation and applying for planning? This is more than just a simple application process; a strong business case is essential to avoid rejection. A robust business plan with crucial reasons why the new tourism accommodation will enhance the regional and national tourism strategies allows the planners to see how your business will improve the local economy. “Without goals and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” ― Fitzhugh Dodson, author. Here are four reasons why a Business Plan assists the planning process. https://lnkd.in/eA3wHChK #tourism #planningpermission #businessplan #charteredmarketer

Understanding the importance of destination branding is pivotal in today's competitive landscape. It helps create a distinctive identity, boost tourism, and leads to economic growth. Every place has a story to tell. #DestinationBranding #EconomicGrowth #Tourism #CreativeDialog #ExperienceMatters

In case you missed it earlier this month -- I investigated how Northern Kentucky's tourism industry has recovered post-pandemic. In 2019, the tourism economy was on the upswing, fueled by the region's growing urban development, only to be turned upside down by the rise of the pandemic. Now, five years later, the region has seen a return to and even surpassing of 2019 levels. Read about it in one of my latest for LINK nky: https://lnkd.in/gK_cMk5D

One of our favorite industries to work in is the tourism field. What could be more enjoyable than publicly bragging about a destination, hosting media tours and writing about hot spots to visit? Tourism also means big money in states like Tennessee where billions of dollars are brought in every year in the suitcases of visitors. Listen to two Tennessee tourism experts talk about the tactics that are working for them in a fast-growing destination hotspot in this episode of MsInterPReted. #Tourism #MediaRelations #PublicRelations https://lnkd.in/gK7c2eku

If you're concerned about the impact of tourism on local communities our latest video might be of interest. We visited Tintagel Castle, a site steeped in legend and history, to see if it lives up to the hype. Located on the rugged Cornish coast, Tintagel is famous for its association with King Arthur, but also for the challenges that come with managing a popular tourist destination in a small, historic village. In our video, we explore how Tintagel balances its mythical allure with modern-day realities. Using our BB STARS Social Tourism criteria, we assess the site's impact on social good, economic contribution, accessibility, and sustainability. With up to 3,000 visitors daily in peak season, the pressure on both the landscape and the local community is immense. We share our thoughts on whether the visitor experience justifies the environmental and cultural costs, and invite you to join the conversation on over-tourism and its effects. We also delve into the ongoing debate about Cornish heritage, drawing on insights from Dr. Tehmina Goskar, who raises critical questions about how Tintagel's history is presented and whether it's being used as a "cash cow" at the expense of local culture. Watch the video to see our full review, and join the conversation on over-tourism and the preservation of Cornish heritage. We'd love to hear your views! https://lnkd.in/dcGmFm9B