Monday, August 30, 2010

$100 million recommended for Maine's rural tourism


Maine Public Radio airs Adams-Catlin Professor of Economics David Vail who authored a report on behalf of the Maine Center for Economic Policy recommending the state invest $100 million in tourism efforts for Maine's rural areas.

Rural Creative Economy Conference in Kingston, Ontario


CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT:
"Rural Creative Economy"
Fri 19 Nov2010
Monieson Centre (613)533-2364
Queen's University, Ontario
  The Monieson Centre at Queen’s University is researching the rural creative economy and its links to regional revitalization. Creative economic activities comprising professional contributions such as art, advertising, design, film, publishing, education, R&D, software and media have the potential to contribute to the vitality of 21st century rural Canadian communities. This innovative and interactive forum will provide academics (faculty and students), business community representatives and economic developers with opportunities to debate ideas, examine theory, present research findings and exchange experiences in order to emerge with a refined understanding of the rural creative economy. The Centre focuses on research themes related to the knowledge economy - how to harness the expertise of individuals, organizations and communities to create knowledge capital.
  Some of Monieson partners include: The Canadian Rural Research Network, CEOnet, Prince Edward County, and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

 
  The isolated Minindee Lakes Region thrives on occasional rains. It is mostly dry with a series of interconnected shallow lakes. The region is located on the Darling River, about 200 kilometres upstream of the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
  The region is home to Minindee, the oldest European settlement in western NSW, to a huge variety of birds during wet periods, to comprehensive archaeological records of aboriginal culture, to the second-oldest active pub, and to the 1860s visit from explorers Burke and Wills.
  CEO Linda Nadge and The Far West branch of the regional Development Australia are looking to build an eco-tourism destination of Minindee -- an alternative future for the town -- based on environmental tourism, outdoor activities and native cultural experiences, and to rejuvenate the region with its "Geography-is-no-Barrier" 10-year program.  The project is called the Menindee Lakes Wetlands Project, reports ABC Rural Australia.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Lessons from Rural India


"Does the road less travelled appeal to you? If yes, then you're on the right track" so goes the opening statement to Explore Rural India. The Wall Street Journal gives a good account on what Rural Tourism means to Indians.

Behind eight swaying curtains lies India's online rural showcase to the world: An image gallery, brochures, visitor appreciation, a visual gallery, events, a slideshow, rural sites, and visitor feedback. Behind the image gallery curtain, for example, India is classed by colour to highlight its many cultures and features: Pure White, Green Tea, Mustard Yellow, Water Colour, Deep Purple, Stone Grey, Mystic Maroon and Technicolour. One can search rural India by destination, by map, and by circuits (routes). The Product Showroom displays local arts and crafts with contact information to the artisan.

A click on Kumbalanghii, for example, takes us to a place of indigenous fishing, crab farming, prawn culture, coir making and boat building. Bunavasi takes us to a most ancient spiritual centre of India. 28 such sites are presented.

Small-Town-Big-Idea-Man LaVerne Erickson wins Alberta Tourism Award


Alberta Tourism Awards Committee has announced small town tourism visionary, LaVerne Erickson, winner of the 2010 
Alto Ambassador Award for his outstanding contributions to Alberta’s tourism industry. They state "Erickson has demonstrated how big ideas can make small towns in rural Alberta huge tourism destinations".

LaVerne Erickson founded the
Rosebud Theatre in Rosebud Alberta (now Alberta's largest professional rural theatre) and the Chemainus Festival Theatre in Chemainus, Vancouver Island, and the Canadian Badlands Performing Arts Summer School in Drumheller, Alberta.


“Like a true visionary, his energy, passion, cooperative spirit and innovative ideas create synergies that would not otherwise materialize,” notes Bob Davis, Executive Director of the Rosebud Theatre. “LaVerne can see, feel and believe what might be possible. His favorite saying is ‘A rising tide lifts all ships’ – a phrase that inspires people to this day to continue the work he helped start.”

Saturday, July 31, 2010










The Oregon Country Trails is "a grassroots organization of rugged, rural, ranchers, farmers, and recreation specialists who have opened their back porches, meadows, and crafts to the public". It's a rural revitalization program.

Over 250 rural businesses, entrepreneurs, tours and adventures make up the Oregon Country Trails, Oregon's only branded country trails. Currently there are 15 trails, such as: Slow Food Good Earth, Covered Bridge Country Trail, and Pioneer Country Trail. Trails can be added by application to the Oregon Country Trails organization from at least 10 people willing to work together and showcase their area and experiences in a positive way. They call this "Trail in a Box".

Trail events include, for example, the Stillpoint Farm Women's Festival 2010, a festival of  music, healing arts, creative arts, ceremony, workshops, food and produce. Their poster states that the festival is a benefit to 13 ingenious grandmothers.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Rural Kansas Project links over 40 small communities


  The Kansas Sampler Foundation and the Kansas Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Division joined with over 40 partners to tell us where to go, what there is to see, do and learn in rural Kansas. This is a first result of the "Rural Kansas: come and get it!" project -- to promote rural communities in the State.
  Towns are grouped by region or by theme, such as the Amazing 100 miles, the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway, and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. In Freedom's Frontier, for example, where the bitter rivalry of the past between Kansans and Missourians is brought to light, seven communities are linked -- such as Lecompton, the political birthplace of the American Civil War, Piqua, Atchison, Fredonia, Garnet, Tonganoxie, and Yates Center.
  Tourists take the communities "as is" and start their journey by first getting off the main highways and slowing down. The Project is to entice tourists to explore, to feel good about spending money in small Kansan towns, and to interact with the locals.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Green Dirt Farm, a value-added sheep farm and agritourism business

 
Tony Glamcevski, from Kansas City, is a tours and events manager with Green Dirt Farm (www.greendirtfarm.com) of Weston, Missouri, who is responsible for cheese-making classes, farm table dinners, and product sales to local farmers markets, supermarkets and chefs, reports Cindy Hoedel of The Kansas City Star. In an interview, Tony wants to develop agritourism -- to have consumers experience farm life and see how the food on their plate gets there. It’s booming. It can also be an additional source of income for the farm he says. 
  Green Dirt Farm is owned and operated by women who raise and milk sheep, offer tours and half-day cheese-making workshops, and prepare barn suppers with unique beverages.
  

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

It's your story: tell The Rural Tourist about the War of 1812


Keynote speaker Eddie Friel told attendees at a "Beyond the City Lights" tourism conference that the story behind a tourism product must be told, reports Trevor Terfloth of the Chatham Daily News in southern Ontario. Further, says Friel, it is the residents that must define the story, not outsiders. He was referring to the upcoming bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812. That story must be told and retold to tourists, visitors and residents -- not just at the commemoration.

"Beyond the City Lights" is a series of conferences supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs. These conferences are to "advance tourism in local communities and provide the opportunity to explore industry trends, hear about tourism success stories and pick up marketing ideas and strategies ". Each conference was developed by a local planning committee.

Roger Brooks' Rule No. 16: Great Stories Make the Campfire Memorable: the rule of telling stories.Your community has stories to tell. They are distinct. They bring people together. They attract visitors. (from "The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism") Tip 2 from Roger Brooks
RT

Monday, April 26, 2010

"Loan Eagles" Affect the Rural Knowledge-Based Economy

It is the individuals that are creating business in today's knowledge-based rural economy, says Mr. Paul Blais of Millier Dickinson Blais, and a former municipal economic development manager in Napanee, reports Brian Shypula with the Stratford Beacon Herald, especially in a rural, knowledge-based economy such as Perth County, Ontario. Blais' report is part of a provincial grant with support from the Perth Community Futures Corporation.
"Loan Eagles" are small businesses that are typically run by individuals, often fall under the media radar and grow by one, two or three people at a time. Their impact, however, can be considerable. They would often fall under the category of highly skilled, highly educated, and/or highly paid. The long-term migration of 'loan eagles' (as illustrated by Richard Florida, the George Mason University professor and author of "The Rise of the Creative Class") can, however, be contrary to rural development interests.
The arts/culture/tourism challenge for southern Ontario's Perth, Stratford and St Mary's region is to attract the Loan Eagles. Perhaps they can be lured with opportunities such as Blais' "green tech" businesses and University of Waterloo's Stratford "new digital media" campus.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Avoid the "Geography of Nowhere"


Lisa Brochu, author and tourism consultant, and keynote speaker at the recent Heartland Byways Conference in Kansas, encouraged communities located along scenic byways to be distinct and present their innate character, writes Dale Hogg of the Grand Bend Tribune. When a visitor wakes up in the morning they should know where they are. As Lisa Brochu states, avoid the geography of nowhere.

The Annual Heartland Byways Conference is designed for byway, tourism officials from 10-state region, including: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Link to: America`s Byways
...
Roger Brooks' Rule No. 16
Great Stories Make the Campfire Memorable: the rule of telling stories.
Your community has stories to tell. They are distinct. They bring people together. They attract visitors.
 from "The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism"
Tip 2 from Roger Brooks.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Unique Agritourism Approach: Look, But Don't Buy


20 football-sized fields of tulips are grown annually for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, but not for sale, writes Wendy Owen of the Oregonian. Woodburn farmer, Ross Iverson, and family grow them for visitors to admire and photograph. They also grow another 30 acres for harvest and sale. They've been growing tulips since 1974. Over 100,000 visitors are expected each year with traffic sometimes backing up for over 12km to enter their farm. Their tulip farm is also rented for weddings, company picnics and meetings, family reunions and other special events. This year is special. It's the 25th anniversary of the Tulip Fest.

The International Ecotourism Society now 20 years old

 

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) now celebrates its 20th year. TIES "promotes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people".
TIES' global Ecotourism Explorer map geographically links us to various ecotourism resources: travellers, students, professionals, lodging facilities, tour operators, affiliated businesses.colleges and universities, institutions, and non-government organizations. A search, for example, of Canadian members with connection to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), displayed the Great Bear Nature Tours in Port Hardy, British Columbia.
TIES joins 500 businesses, professionals and community members at ESTC (Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference) 2010 from 8-10Sep2010 in Portland Oregon. The conference is hosted by Travel Portland and Travel Oregon, and will provide opportunities to share the latest trends in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.


Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Seven Pillars of Rural Development

The seven pillars of rural development are listed in a note to the Secretary of State, United States Department of Agriculture from a concerned citizen, reports Rural Alberta's Development Fund.

They are:
Natural Capital
Cultural Capital
Social Capital
Political Capital
Financial Capital
Built Capital
Human Capital

Rural Alberta’s Development Fund (RADF) is an independent, not-for-profit company that is focused on helping rural communities build capacity and leaders. Some of the funded RADF projects include:
Growing a Culture of Innovation in Northwest Alberta
Northern Alberta GeoTourism
Creative Campus Development
Buffalo Adventures Marketing Initiative
Edmonton Area Countryside Project

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

British Columbia's first rural tourism conference





Conference: Rural Tourism
Dates: 6-8 April 2010
Host: British Columbia’s Thompson Rivers University School of Tourism and partners
Program: PDF document link
Location: rural North Shuswap, Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout Lodge
Theme: Address the challenges of selecting and building tourism experiences by all rural tourism stakeholders.



Sunday, April 04, 2010

Food joins Kilkenny's Suite of Irish Rural Tourism Trails

A Food Trail has been added to rural County Kilkenny Trails as part of Ireland's food strategy, reports Kilkenny People News. The trail links food with rural tourism. A launch date is set for 19April2010. The Food Trail joins Kilkenny's Walking, CyclingCraft and Heritage trails.

The newly-formed  Kilkenny Leader Partnership, a single-access point for local development, is a driving force behind the Food Trail. The Leader Partnership aims to focus on quality of life and economic diversification in rural Ireland. It offers grants and funding to rural innovators and widely valued projects. Trail Kilkenny is made up of a partnership between County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Sports Partnership, local councilers and land owners.

The initial participants in the Food Trail include:
Tess's Homestyle Baking.
The Watergarden Cafe
Ryeland House Cookery
A Slice of Heaven
Lavistown Gourmet Sausages
The Truffle Fairy
Foodworks Cafe
Shellumsrath Goose
Cafe L’Arche
Zuni restaurant
Cramers Grove Ice Cream
Kells Wholemeal
Campagne
The Jarrow Cafe
Sol Bistro
Oldtown Hill Bakehouse
Highbank Organic Apple Juice
The Blackberry Cafe
Keoghs Model Bakery
The Little Apple Company
Mosses Apple Juice
Castlecomer Country Markets
Marvelway - Meat Products
Freshford Country Market
Blueberry LARDER
Kilkenny Farmers Market
Langtons
Marble City
Cillin Hill Mart
Kilkenny Design
Rinuchinnis
Cafe Sol
The Thatch
Mileeven Fine Foods
Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese
Goatsbridge Trout Farm
Thomastown Country Market

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Community-based Rural Tourism in Costa Rica

ACTUAR, the Costa Rican Association of Community-based Rural Tourism, supports sustainable tourism and the rural lifestyle of Costa Rican families. You can experience the authentic rural lifestyle and indigenous culture while getting involved in local conservation efforts. ACTUAR arose in 2001 from the first Ecotourism Gathering, organized by United Nation’s Small Grants Program. ACTUAR is a member of The International Ecotourism Society and the Rainforest Alliance.

ACTUAR's goal is to show the real Costa Rica, an experience that's not pre-packaged with set photo opportunities. They want one that's run by local citizen organizations.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Over 90 Nebraska Maps feed U of Nebraska's Rural Initiative

 94 maps are available as a rural resource to residents of Nebraska via the University of Nebraska's Rural Initiative, including terrain, bedrock geology, demographics, surface and groundwater, crops, infrastructure, trails, canoeing, pasture-fed meat producers, GIS and others.

These maps form one of the four pillars for rural resources in the State: website search of rural resources, rural development programs, internet access, and Nebraska maps.

The Wineries Map, for example, displays 12 existing wineries, and lists 8 soon-to-be-open wineries, their location and web/email contact link. There is a renaissance in the Nebraskan wine industry. The Nebraska Trails Map shows all historic and recreational trails in the State. The Scott Lookout Trail, for example, lists the management, length, usage and surface type of the trail. Other maps of interest to the rural tourist include: Christmas Tree Growers Map, the Nebraska Speed Limits Map,  and the Nebraska Game and Parks GIS Land Atlas.





These maps can be accessed via Nebraska Rural Living, "the brainchild of two sisters who returned to their small town rural roots". Their mission is to market the rural lifestyle, spotlight the successful rural entrepreneur, highlight amenities, and provide links to rural resources in Nebraska.

"During our years living out of Nebraska, we read dismal articles describing the out-migration of rural Nebraskans, the declining farm economy, and drought. However when we visited back home, we noticed prosperous entrepreneurial businesses, safe streets, a nurturing quality of life for families, excellent schools and affordable housing. We also noticed communities seemed to be well governed, by citizens who cared."

Creative Economy Forum helps redefine Rutland, Vermont

Residents of Rutland, Vermont, met to discuss new directions to develop their community reported the Rutland Herald. A vote at the Creative Economy Forum, moderated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, identified two key projects: develop a railroad or children's museum and work to brand Rutland's identity. The goal is to revitalize rural Vermont in this area -- to re-invent itself. [[VPRradio

The Vermont Creative Communities Program presents how 12 rural communities have developed priority projects to pursue. 40 projects included the building of creative economy associations, development and communication of creative economy assets and maps, entrepreneurial platforms, and specific, directed events. 
[[VPRradio

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Rural RoundUp returns to Winnemucca









Winnemucca (cowboy country) celebrated Nevada's 20th annual Rural RoundUp 24-26th March 2010 and hosted the State's Rural Tourism Conference. Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki says it's "one time each year [rural tourism stakeholders] can learn new tactics to market their areas or events". The event is marketed to an international audience.

Speaker Roger Brooks, with Destination Development held an educational session on “The New Age of Rural Tourism”. He spoke about attracting new business, new residents and increased tourism spending, about what rural communities have done, and are doing, to put themselves "on the map" and on the road to long term success.

Travel advertising specialist with Google, Ryan Denny, spoke about the "Top 10 Wins" on on-line
advertising, measuring success, and your Website.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Publication Link: Effects of Population Migration on Rural Tourism

Effects of population migration on rural tourism
The recent non-metropolitan turnaround in the USA has resulted
in population migration from large cities to small towns and
countryside. The marketing opportunity presented to rural
tourism comes with significant challenges for its sustainability.
The focus of literature on rural tourism sustainability has been
more on the environmental and socio-cultural protection of the
intrinsic qualities in the countryside, but less on the economic
viability and marketing feasibility of rural tourism.

Delaware Agritourism



YouTube - Agritourism
Agritourism can add several benefits to a farm. Rob Leeds,
Extension Educator from Delaware County, discusses why
agritourism experiences are good from the operators and
customers point of view. Included are things to consider when
adding agritourism to your business, along with trends
coming in the industry.

Tennessee Proclaims 20th March "Ag Day"












In support of Agriculture, 20th March is now officially known as "Ag Day" in Tennessee.

The over 79,000 farms in the state bring in over US$3 billion annually in cash receipts.There are currently more than 600 agritourism venues in Tennessee, USA. In 2007, agritourism generated more than $6.5 million in farm income, as reported by the government of Tennessee.

The proclamation of "Ag Day" recognizes the contribution that stakeholders in agriculture have made to Tennessee.

Agri-Tourism Vision 2020










The Indian State of Maharashtra, India, recently unveiled its 10-year Agri-Tourism Vision 2020, according to TravelBizMonitor.com.
The main goal is to allow farmers to retain their farm and stay on the farm; that, in a speech at the Maharashtra State Agri & Rural Tourism Co-operation Federation (MART) national convention on Agri-Tourism, by managing director Pandurang Taware.

Other points in Vision 2010 include:
  • Government should have a separate policy for Agri-Tourism. Financial institutions like public and private sector banks should support farmers by lending money to invest for farming.
  • The primary objective of Agri-Tourism is to sell farm products produced by farmers and not the development of hospitality infrastructure.
  • Tourism stake holders like tour operators and travel agents should support this segment (Agri-Tourism) by selling these destinations.
  • Government should look after capacity building of farmers and promotion of Agri-Tourism, both domestically and internationally. Government of India should include Agri-Tourism in their marketing initiatives on the lines of promotion of other tourism segments.
  • Basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, toilet facilities, have to be maintained and developed at Agri-Tourism destinations.
  • Income generates from Agri-Tourism has to be treated as agricultural income.
"The soul of India lies in villages", states Pradeep Kumar Jain, Minister of State for Rural Development, Government of India.

"Over 97 per cent of the city crowd were ready to travel over 300 km to experience the rustic beauty of village life,” said Taware, in a report by The Punekar.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Eagles are main attraction in AgriTourist events





Photographers flock to watch eagles in an agricultural setting.

The village of Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia, Canada, hosted its 19th Annual Eagle Watch event this winter, 2010. Also, Carson Valley, Nevada, USA, held its 8th Annual Eagles and Agriculture Event this past winter. These events bring economic activity into rural areas.

Post any other eagle or bird watching events that attract tourists to rural, agricultural settings.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Performing artists revitalize small rural town


Rosebud School of the Arts, Alberta, Canada

This is how to build a rural attraction with a population of about 100. In the village of Rosebud, once a ranching, farming and mining community going into decline, the Rosebud School of the Arts was created, attracting performing artists from the USA and across Canada. About an hour's drive from Calgary, this community started with one arts camp in 1973 by school teacher Laverne Ericsson. It now has a dinner theatre, with stage plays and pre-show entertainment that attract patrons from nearby Calgary and bus tours from across Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Rosebud links with events and attractions in surrounding communities, such as the Atlas Coal Mine Historic Site in Drumheller and local ghost towns such as Wayne. Rosebud now sports its own radio show and recording studio.