Annette Pitts, a Certified Destination Management Executive and CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond (EOB), served as guest speaker at the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative (STEDI), which met in Tenino on July 19 at the Tenino Quarry House.
Pitts spoke about the Thurston County 10-year Destination Master Plan (DMP), providing an overview of the problems the DMP aims to solve, the process of developing it, and plans moving forward.
“At the heart of this ambitious vision is the Destination Master Plan (DMP), a meticulously crafted blueprint designed to harness the county’s unique offerings—from its lush landscapes to its rich cultural tapestry and elevate the destination experience to new heights, expanding the local economy and supporting jobs growth throughout the region,” a document on EOB’s website explains.
Some of the critical points from Pitts’ presentation include the following:
The plan serves as a vehicle to bolster destination management, tourism, and related benefits for the communities around the county. For instance, the visitors’ bureau can help organizations write grants & achieve ideas using the DMP as a resource. Pitts gave an example of working with Tenino Parks to obtain grants for their projects.
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Southsoundguy
Translation: you have no eco future so better start getting tourist bucks.
Tuesday, August 6 Report this
BobJacobs
Tourism happens by itself. No help needed.
And in fact, because tourism employment has by far the lowest incomes, it is especially inappropriate to subsidize and try to "grow" the industry here.
If we must by state law put public dollars into tourism promotion, then we should choose items like parks that meet the qualifications of such programs but serve primarily the local community.
Bob Jacobs
Tuesday, August 6 Report this
1Cochamamba9
Cycle: visit-live-work-invest ... welcome to "Little Tacoma": asphalt and concrete =increase traffic-noise-litter-graffiti,-poor air and water quality. Why do these people keep getting elected? Why can't Olympia elect and hire some "real" visionaries? Any thought given to increasing green spaces? Protecting our shoreline? Removing asphalt and concrete?
Wednesday, August 7 Report this