This column is the first in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. They will be published weekly in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA. This column appeared Wednesday (August 24, 2005).
Publish Date: August 24, 2005
One of the most amazing things about getting older is that you learn to watch and listen more. And, I have learned, that some things you are told by people who are supposed to know, actually come true. Take for instance, the phenomenon of “baby boomers.” For years, it has been predicted by population experts that as “boomers” aged, they would have a significant effect on politics, the economy and cultural trends. It looks as if this prediction has come true! “Baby boomers” and their children are accounting for a significant measure of our economic growth and are also spending the money they amassed through their hard work in creative and remarkable ways.
One of the most interesting ways this segment of our population is spending its money is on tourism and travel. As a matter of fact, this is a worldwide phenomenon. The travel and tourism industries generate more than $3.5 Trillion worldwide and account for 12 percent of the world’s economy. In the United States, travel and tourism is the first, second or third largest industry in 28 states and Washington D.C., and the third largest retail sales industry nationally. In the United States in 2000, the travel and tourism industry was the country’s second largest employer, putting more than 18 million people to work and creating an annual payroll of $259 billion. In addition, the industry generated nearly $582.5 billion in expenditures and almost $200 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.
Within the powerful economic engine that is travel and tourism is a profitable niche. Communities across the nation are discovering that if they create interesting and unique exhibits of local art and customs, which allow travelers to view and take part in demonstrations of traditional celebrations and art forms, they can share a portion of the economic riches that accompany what is now being called “cultural tourism.” This particular brand of tourist enterprise is being consumed by more than 118 million cultural tourists annually in the U.S. and is growing almost daily, thanks to the enterprising vision of some community minded people that realize they have something special to offer these educated and much-traveled consumers.
In the next six months, cultural tourism will affect the travel plans and spending choices of more than 50 million travelers. And when they make those choices, they stay longer and spend more when they choose to arrive in areas that feature opportunities for arts, cultural or heritage events and activities. According to state tourism officials, Georgia ranked eighth nationally in direct tourism spending and spending for tourism grew about 6 percent. Last year, the Georgia Department of Economic Development says that tourists spent $15.4 billion in Georgia tourism and travel related businesses. However, they also point out that, with a little more effort and the creation of more tourism sites, the state could have garnered an additional $116 million tourism dollars last year. They recognize that cultural tourism is a vital force and needs to be developed, especially outside the metropolitan Atlanta area. Craig Lesser, the commissioner of the Georgia Economic Development Department, said it best last week when he observed, “When you think about the (tourism) opportunities in Atlanta, (you also need to) think about what’s going on in coastal Georgia.”
In my next column, we’ll take a closer look at what “Cultural Tourism” is exactly, and what it looks like in communities across this country. And in future columns, we’ll explore what is “going on in coastal Georgia” to take advantage of the cultural tourism movement, especially right here in Camden County.
No comments:
Post a Comment