Destination Pennsylvania: The Governor's Conference on Tourism will focus on tourism product development and its economic impact on Pennsylvania communities. Major discussion areas will build on the conference theme "Character of Place":
Everyone talks about preserving a sense of place — the unique character of our cities, towns, and rural places. Now is the time to get practical: How do we actually do it? What decisions do we make? What assets should we focus on? How do we make character of place work economically? Beyond the rhetoric, this panel will provide real definitions and practical strategies.
Tourism can bring economic benefits, but at what cost? Chain businesses and other forces can homogenize places, eroding their distinctiveness. Overstressing sensitive assets can diminish their attractiveness. How do we manage tourism growth so that it sustains and enhances our local character of place and quality of life? This panel will address the most common mistakes and strategies to avoid them, and present positive models that are leading a trend toward a workable balance.
Tourism product development is a key component to a community revitalization strategy. These projects can be a focal point for a neighborhood to increase visitation, create jobs and continue to expand our service driven economy. The goal of this session is to talk about the connection between tourism development and community revitalization, the link between planning and projects, and the process of turning the entrepreneurial spirit of the tourism economy into projects through coordination with the Community Action Team.
The creation of solid middle-class tourism employment through entrepreneurial activity can be a major cornerstone to local economic development. Caterers, guides, tour operators, event planners and managers, artists and craftsmen, performers and speakers, and many others can make a good living by establishing their own small businesses. Taken from the mixed perspective of community visionaries, municipal leaders, and small business owners, this dialogue will focus on how to create an entrepreneurial culture in your community.
Celebrating communities, transforming economies.