What is tourism, really?

It’s always said that tourism is a “heads in beds” business, but oh no, it’s so much more. Tourism is truly the simplest form of economic development. Let’s welcome visitors into our community and encourage them to spend their dollars while they’re here by staying in our lodging properties, eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, enjoying our natural resources, etc. Let’s show them the things we get to enjoy every day; let’s welcome them with open arms; let’s show them the experience of our community. Keyword: experience. The Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) serves as the marketing arm of our community and is tasked with highlighting the many things which attract visitors to our area, such as CrossFit champions Rich Froning, Angelo DiCicco and CrossFit Mayhem Freedom, Tennessee’s Best Donut (Ralph’s), ranking as the 8th Most Affordable Community in the 2015 Cost of Living Index and the gorgeous views from Bee Rock. Experience is the reason the Tennessee State H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally has been hosted here three times. By the way, we made Harley-Davidson Motor Co. history by being the first city in Tennessee to host the rally consecutive years. It’s also the reason we’ve been selected to host a seven state regional event, the Southern Backroads H.O.G. Rally in July of 2017. Tourism in Cookeville-Putnam County really got its “booster shot” in 2009 when we were awarded hosting privileges for the TSSAA BlueCross Bowl. It came shortly after the economic crisis; in a time there wasn’t much happening and really gave us an opportunity to be put on the map. For the last seven years, the state’s high school football championships have built a sense of community pride, involving 700+ volunteers and bringing thousands more into Cookeville and Putnam County. Numerous groups have visited and many events have taken place: Run for the Wall, Major League Fishing, Mayhem for Mustard Seed Ranch, livestock shows, SlideCKVL, TACA East vs. West All Star Game, Fall FunFest, sports tournaments galore and excursion trains, just to name a few. And they all have something in common: they help us! Not only do they continue to grow the marketing of our community, but they assist financially as well. The most recent economic impact numbers provided by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development show that tourists spent nearly $118 million in Putnam County during the 2014-15 fiscal year; an increase of 7.6% over the previous year. That spending created $2.39 million in local tax revenue and $6.83 million in state tax revenue. As a result of taxes generated by tourist spending, Putnam County households paid $280 less in local and state taxes. Let me also say the work that goes on in this community isn’t accomplished without great partnerships. My third week in this position last April, I attended a conference where I quickly learned not all communities work like we do. City and county governments, chambers of commerce, universities, hospitals and other key players don’t get along like us. Let’s not take our great community for granted. Now it’s your turn to enjoy the experience.