Spring into Tourism Showcases Region’s Attractions
The Ozark Gateway Tourist Council celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week on Monday, May 11 in Batesville’s downtown Pocket Park. “Spring into Tourism” included an afternoon of entertainment, activities, guest speakers from the tourism industry, and displays, exhibits, and demonstrations by artists, craftspeople, and others who contribute to the region’s tourism economy.
The festivities began at 1:30 p.m. when Ozark Gateway president-elect Bob Pest welcomed guests. Pest announced Ozark gateway’s plans for developing a Heritage Tourism Scenic Drives project; the plan will link the historic attractions in the eight-county tourism region by providing and promoting well-defined scenic drives between communities. According to Pest, “Visitors will now remain longer in the region as they enjoy both the natural beauty and the rich history, connected by a well-defined group of breath-taking scenic drives.” The initiative will be launched in early 2010. Richard Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, followed Pest with a report on tourism in the state; he noted that tourism revenues were up in Arkansas, while they were flat or down in many other states. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh also spoke to the crowd, thanking Ozark Gateway for its efforts to promote tourism in the area. The final speaker was Toni Guinn with Blanchard Springs Caverns. Local author Mark Rorie was present to sign copies of his new children’s novel, The Polk Bayou Kids and the Search for Civil War Gold.
Many tourist attractions and related businesses from the eight county Ozark Gateway region (Independence, Jackson, Stone, Sharp, Izard, Randolph, Lawrence, and Fulton) participated with demonstrations, displays, and information booths, including Main Street Batesville, Ozark Folk Center, Blanchard Springs Cavern, Old Independence Regional Museum, Mammoth Spring State Park, Powhatan Historic State Park, the Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, the Arkansas Crafts School-Artisans Council, the Ozark Classic Craft Mall and for Mother Earth of Hardy, Horseshoe Bend and the Course at Turkey Mountain, cedar crafter Howard Collier, Black River Beads of Pocahontas, Choice Realty, What’s This Spices of Newport, the Randolph County Tourism Association, and Healing Grounds Coffeehouse on Main Street.
“Spring into Tourism” was a joint project of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, Main Street Batesville, and the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Information about tourism in the region is available at gateway@ozarkgateway.com or 800-264-0316.
