 |
|
Tourism/Lodging
Projects & Committees Projects
& Committees
Main Page
Strategic Action Plan
Emergency
Housing
Business Development
Tourism
Natural Resources
Business Expansion
Infrastructure
Planning & Zoning
Arts/Culture & Education
|
 |
Tourism Reference Guide
The Tourism Committee and the Chamber of Commerce has developed a Reference Guide. The Guide highlights all the information about the valley including businesses, outdoor activities, locations, maps etc. The Guide has been given to all our frontline businesses who have daily interaction with the public. This Guide is to assist in educating our workforce in the area. As well as be a valuable reference tool for answering visitor questions within the Tobacco Valley. |
Tourism is the second largest industry in Montana bringing in over 10 million visitors in 2006 and spending over $2 Billion. The Tobacco Valley has always been a "drive through" for tourists, thus, the Tobacco Valley never has really capitalized on this
multi-billion dollar industry. |
|
The need to increase our tourism based income has become very important to the Tobacco Valley and Lincoln County as a whole. The Tobacco Valley is one of Montana's hidden treasures. The natural beauty, abundance of wildlife, freedom to us the National Forest (hiking, fishing, scenic driving, hunting camping), a rich history, Lake Koocanusa, Ten Lakes Scenic Area, and the friendliness of the people are just a few of the attraction to the Tobacco Valley. These attractions could bring visitors into the Valley and coming back, wanting to spend their vacation time here and not just drive through.
The Tobacco Valley has the opportunity to grow into one of Montana's most popular Tourist Destinations. It can build a strong tourist based income for many of the small, home based businesses as well as those retail businesses with store fronts. The Valley already has a number of successful events throughout the summer that drives a destination based tourism industry. However, one of the goals for the Committee is to work on developing a year round attraction to the area.
The TVCDC Tourism Committee showcases true partnership. The Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce is actively involved in the TVCDC Tourism Committee and has focused on networking and partner building over the last year including Glacier Country and Travel Montana. There is a County-wide effort to promote Lincoln County that started with simple entry way welcome signs on all points of entry into the County. Now that small group has developed into a stand along non-profit; Lincoln County Tourism.
Educating the residents to the advantages tourism has and what tourism can do for communities is one of the Lincoln County Tourism's main goals. Glacier Country is the best vehicle for advertising and Travel Montana can help with training, education and advertising. All have become a valuable source of information and support for the Committee and Chamber.
Last year, the Chamber along with the TVCDC, completed the Tobacco Valley Resource Guide. The Guide was placed in all front lining businesses and contains a complete guide to the Valley including; businesses per category, medical/emergency numbers and facilities, maps, etc… The Guide is to help inform our front line workers so when visitors ask there is a source of information at the staffs' finger tips providing information on the area. The Eureka Chamber also was successful in completing a full colored map of the entire Tobacco Valley which has proven to be a great tool when attracting not only visitors but new businesses as well. The Eureka Chamber again hosted the Montana Superhost program and enough people have attended the training now to make Eureka a Montana Superhost Community.
Concerns and Opportunities for the TVCDC Tourism Committee are:
- Build on the Chamber of Commerce's success and expand their facilities to promote visitors to stay longer
- Strong community support for Chamber activities
- Chamber's presence in the Community is growing, more memberships and more activities
- Chamber's involvement in regional, state, and international tourism projects
- Lodging
- Not enough lodging for large events but need to have a balance so during off season hotels/motels/BB's etc can still make it
- Lack of Workforce
- Tourism industry for the most part pay lower wages
- Impacts from tourist on infrastructure and nature
- Communities attitudes regarding tourism is split; some support some are not
- Maintaining the way of life
- Great events already in place to build on or expand (Rendezvous, Quilt Show, Rodeo/Fiber Fest,)
- Development of golf courses
- Opportunity for new businesses (retail, lodging, equipment rentals
- Work with Business Development and BEAR committees
|
|
