Travel Industry Expert Offers Advice to Jackson County Officials
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Updated: 8:57 AM Mar 14, 2010
Travel Industry Expert Offers Advice to Jackson County Officials
For those Panhandle counties without a beach, Spring Break doesn't do them much good. But they're still trying to make the most of their potential to attract tourists. Jackson County officials received tips on maximizing eco-tourism opportunities from an industry expert.
Posted: 11:06 AM Mar 13, 2010
Reporter: Vanessa Nguyen
Email Address: vanessa.nguyen@wjhg.com

Jackson County Maximizing Its Tourism Appeal
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For those Panhandle counties without a beach, Spring Break doesn't do them much good.
But they're still trying to make the most of their potential to attract tourists.
Jackson County officials received tips on maximizing eco-tourism opportunities this morning from an industry expert.

It's no secret that tourism can play a big role in generating revenues for Jackson County.
"We have folks coming through Jackson County, we've got to figure out a way to get them to stay here and spend some money for a few days," says Jeremy Branch, Chairman of the Jackson County Commission.
That's where travel industry expert Judy Randall enters the picture.
Randall offered some of her wisdom, from more than 25-years of experience, believing the county can draw more visitors, especially through eco-tourism.
"The thing that you have here in Jackson County is you've got a couple of state parks, you've got some wonderful natural areas."
Randall estimates roughly 200,000 people visit the Florida Caverns and Three Rivers State Park each year.
"And that's not to count the thousands that come to Blue Springs every year, the thousands that tube or canoe down Spring Creek or the Chipola River or that come to fish in Lake Seminole."
But Randall says the county's biggest asset is Interstate-10.
"You get 7-million people a year that are coming up-and-down that interstate."
Randall calls it "a river of money" for Jackson County businesses and residents.
"People who don't live in this county who come here and spend money on lodging, food, retail and paying the sales tax that allows the money to stay locally and keeps their property taxes from going up."
Michael Setboun, who recently opened the upscale "La Maison de Lucy" bed-and-breakfast in Alford, was inspired by Randall's advice.
"She's been insisting on facilitation and orientation of the customers so I'm gonna focus more on generating packages, everything will be included from the spa to the salon to whatever they want to do."
Community leaders from neighboring counties also picked-up some good ideas.
"One of the biggest things I think small communities have issues with is signage, she talked a lot about way-finding, simply showing them how to get to the places they're looking for can go a long way," says Kristy Terry, Executive Director of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
"People will drive 20 miles off the road to go find a homemade cinnamon roll or homemade pie. So it's showing them where those things are and tell them where the cash registers are...it's that simple!"

The Jackson County Tourist Development Council and County Commission are planning to hold another tourism workshop later this month.


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