Communities interested in developing a sustainable tourism industry are often overcome with challenges of not knowing where to begin as evidenced by statements such as "Why would anyone come here, we don't have anything!" or "We need hotels and attractions for people to visit us!"
Education is a first step in moving communities forward when planning for tourism sustainably.
MSU Extension’s tourism programming provides that first step for communities across Michigan. Our programs serve as an effective strategy to raise awareness of natural assets frequently overlooked that can be leveraged for tourism, while at the same time conserving them for future generations.
The presentation will briefly discuss strategies employed in the actual program to leverage and conserve assets, alternative sustainable tourism markets communities can explore, and focus on some successes developed since the inception of the program.
