Tourism includes ways to position the downtown in order to capture increased visitor spending potential.
The First Impressions program helps communities learn about existing strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of the first-time visitor and provides a structured opportunity to learn about strengths and weaknesses of similar communities. The results from a First Impressions visit can serve as the basis for community action and as a way to document changes in the community over time.
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The educational program is tailor-made for staff and management of local attractions, convenience stores, lodging, restaurants, retail shops and more.
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The mission of the National Extension Tourism Design Team is to enhance sustainable tourism development nationally by providing relevant research, training, resources and networking opportunities in tourism and recreation marketing, management and development for Extension and tourism professionals.
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The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs is a clearinghouse for information on rural issues, coordinates rural research, and works with state agencies on issues of importance to rural communities.
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We designed Community Tourism Development to provide organizations and individuals with a development process and materials to help communities plan, initiate, and expand tourism as a means of long-term economic development.
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This manual is designed to help small town revitalization efforts. Building on several basic principles, the manual provides small Pennsylvania communities with a menu of low-cost tools and strategies that they can adopt as they try to revitalize their central business districts.
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This publication includes stories about planning and implementing economic development strategies in 45 small towns with populations of fewer than 10,000 residents.
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Through a series of PDF articles, this toolbox offers ideas on how to create a vibrant downtown in a small community. The publications analyze the benefits and difficulties of downtowns on topics ranging from competing with Big Box Stores to space utilization.
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The program has revealed tourism opportunities to destination leadership some of which include: signage, website improvements, hospitality training, lack of community information, trail system improvements, unsightly billboards, need for additional food and beverage options, additional lodging, and lack of recycling opportunities.
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