Meeting to spotlight cultural, nature tourism

A town meeting will be held to discuss the development of nature and cultural tourism this Thursday, August 10, at 5 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center on the campus of Clarendon College.

Area residents are invited to attend and join in the effort to diversify the local economy by taking advantage of the area’s rich natural resources and Western heritage.

The meeting is being sponsored by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation. Panhandle Tourism and Marketing Council President Joann Harwell and Texas Prairie Rivers Region President Remelle Farrar will lead the workshop.

Harwell and Farrar work with regional land and businesses owners to help identify and attract visitors to the assets in the community.

In 2000, tourism has become the largest industry in Texas.

Speaking to landowners in Canadian recently, Farrar said nature and cultural tourists are generally from larger cities, are well educated, and are well off.

“They spend an average of $50 per day per visitor on food and lodging and an additional $200 shopping on an average two-day visit.

“Our region offers exactly what they are looking for – a chance to experience nature, experience the ‘real West,’ and an escape from the stress and traffic with a return to the nostalgia of small town life.”

The Texas Prairie Rivers Regional Initiative began in Canadian last year. Farrar will explain the program and highlight some of the success it has seen in bringing visitors to the area, as well as developing programs that combine the goals of retaining the town’s traditional lifestyle, broadening the economic base, and providing a financial incentive for conservation.

One development that shows good potential for the region is the funding of a $750,000 project to extend the Great Texas Coasting Birding Trail into the Texas Panhandle.

The map and highway signage project, which brought $2 billion into the coastal economy its first year, was sponsored by Texas Prairie Rivers, developed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Farrar will explain how Clarendon can capitalize on its position as a southern entry to the Texas Prairie Rivers Region.

Harwell, who has been a longtime proponent of the value of tourism to the Panhandle, is directing development of a tourism map project which will invite visitors to enjoy the historical, cultural, and natural highlights of the region through a series of “vacation trips” in the 26-county area.

The map will feature a historic ranch trail, Route 66 trail, and a nature trail. Plans are for an initial distribution of 350,000 maps. Harwell will explain how local people can join with the Panhandle Tourism and Marketing Council in this effort.

Everyone interested in seeing more dollars in the local economy is encouraged to attend this meeting.