Interstate 35 is a “river of money” that Emporia needs to tap more effectively, according to a recent study.
The study, a site assessment performed by the North Carolina firm of Randall Travel Marketing, says that Emporia needs to push its “cash registers” such as restaurants, stores and motels. Tourist attractions, on the other hand, just don’t have the pull they used to.
“It’s not just Emporia,” said Liz Martell, director of the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau, at a Wednesday city commission meeting. “It’s nationally. The idea of taking a week’s vacation and going sightseeing that was born after World War II is gone.”
The William Allen White home and the zoo are still good sites, Martell said, but the biggest draws for a visitor are Bluestem, Madelynn’s and Emporia State University.
“The bulk of our tourism here is right off the interstate and the business traveler,” Martell said.
Emporia ranks 13th in Kansas for tourism revenue, according to the study.
Tourism figures took a hard drop everywhere after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks but are starting to climb again. The most recent study by the Travel Industry Association showed that travelers spent about $4.1 billion in Kansas in 2004, compared to $3.6 billion in 2001. The total impact of Kansas travel and tourism, direct and indirect, was estimated at $5.6 billion.
According to the TIA study, about $61.2 million is spent on tourism in Lyon County.
Given the drawing power of I-35, the Randall report said, Emporia needs more billboards along the highway. It also suggested redoing the city visitor’s guide and Web site to be more visitor friendly and focused on the “cash registers.”
The report added that the city’s “Front Porch of the Flint Hills” marketing was a good one and could be emphasized with a “front porch”-themed visitors center.
murchins (anonymous) says...
Bulletin boards that express the opinion that we're all going to roast in hell as sinners and abortionists are not helping.
October 26, 2006 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )