City told tourism is shopping
Attractions no longer the draw they once were
By Scott Rochat
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Interstate Highway 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 Farm & Ranch Supply, 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 travel and tourism in Kansas, direct and indirect, was estimated at $5.6 billion.
According to the association’s 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.
Trash contract
N.R. Hamm Quarry, the city’s landfill contractor, wants a new contract that helps cover the higher cost of diesel fuel.
Hamm agreed to the contract in 2000 and is currently in a five-year extension that runs through 2010. The company currently gets $26.07 per ton, adjusted for the Consumer Price Index, the most common measure of inflation. But diesel prices have gone up faster than that, leading Hamm to ask for either a fuel surcharge or a different way of calculating prices.
“We’re using a lot of fuel moving garbage up and down the road, covering it and keeping it safe,” said Charlie Sedlock of Hamm. “We buy 50,000 gallons of fuel a month. We’re willing to take our lumps in the short term, but believe me, we’ve taken a lot of lumps.”
Diesel prices were about $1.50 a gallon when Hamm signed the contract. The company now pays $2.48 a gallon.
Commissioners said they’d be willing to consider making some allowance for fuel costs. The company and the city each have the option to pull out of the contract each year, but neither has wanted things to go that far.
“We don’t want to damage each other in any way,” Commissioner Tom Myers said. “It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship.”
In other action:
- Commissioners voted to buy a trash truck from Key Equipment of Kansas City for $192,166.
- Emporia Enterprises asked for an additional $100,000 to help with the costs of landscaping two 20-acre lots in Industrial Park III.
MerleCrimbatt (anonymous) says...
I plan to take a trip to Emporia next week. I drive a motorcycle with sidecar (dog and extra hats (they/those) ride in the sidecar). You can call it a mini-parade, but don't man. Is there a hotel(s) there where I/we can set up the Foreman grill? Here I come!
October 27, 2006 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
murchins (anonymous) says...
Any billboard that doesn't tell me I'm going to roast in hell would be welcome.
October 27, 2006 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charles_Finkle (anonymous) says...
If more people would follow the word of Christ, we wouldn't need thoses billboards!
October 27, 2006 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JD_number_07 (anonymous) says...
The bible says pray in the home, not in the street. Why do some people insist on forcing their religion on others? If people wanted to be christians and go to church, they would. Most people are perfectly content in their spiritual beliefs and don't need other people telling them how to live their lives.
October 27, 2006 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lollerskate (anonymous) says...
You can't forget the abortion billboards too, I just love those.
I grew up outside of Emporia, and I remember getting creeped out about God and religion in general by the bible billboard that was on I-35. I was really relieved when they finally replaced it with a real advertisement.
October 28, 2006 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
murchins (anonymous) says...
I've been wishing I had the money to put in a billboard in that says "There is no God but Allah!" just to try and make a point. When you attempt to force your particular religious view on everyone else you go directly against the primary reason this nation was founded: Freedom to worship in the manner you choose, not the manner which is chosen for you by someone else. Those bulletin boards imply that Emporia doesn't believe in that freedom. Any thoughtful person cringes when they see them: they're bigoted and small minded. God sees your heart, not your bulletin board. That money could feed the hungry or keep the heat on for a poor person this winter...
November 2, 2006 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tknaak (inactive user) says...
Murchins,
Well said.
November 4, 2006 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )