Page 56 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

CHAPTER 3: THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM SECTOR

Georgia Tourism — “Georgia on My Mind” Vermont Rural Tourism
The lead agency for tourism in Georgia is the Vermont’s many well-preserved historic New

Department of Economic Development, with England towns and its proximity to Boston make it
a tourism research center, a partner Tourism an important tourism destination in the northeast. Its
Foundation, a tourism product development team, tourism program, led by the state level Department
and a visitors’ information center . Its web site, of Tourism and Marketing, approaches tourism
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“Georgia on My Mind” , provides multiple links to development as an integrated strategy that includes
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more than 5,000 tourism resources throughout assets in both cities and rural towns (Vermont does
the state, with a marketing strategy that aims to not have counties). Vermont’s resources are highly
allow visitors flexibility to create highly customized customer focused and accessible via the "Vermont
tourism experiences incorporating outdoor Vacation" website . Online resources are organized
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recreation, historic sites, festivals and events, by three regions – southern, central, and northern,
beaches and the coast, entertainment and the and by 14 historic downtowns. The site features and
arts, shopping, must-see attractions, romantic guides visitors to attractions by season, for example
getaways, dining, golf, seasonal attractions, the fall color display being the focus in autumn,
experiential opportunities, and budget and family and spring promotions centered around farm and
friendly services and destinations. The site, food activities, arts and culture, family activities,
organized geographically, provides interactive and recreation. Regional web links include arts and

maps covering nine regions and hundreds of culture, attractions, and “Made in Vermont” products
communities, listing attractions/assets, routes, and sources.
and themes. For example, the interactive map for Places to stay
Georgia’s Magnolia Midlands region, “known for are listed by
its agricultural assortment,” provides interactive location and
access to culinary opportunities like “Southern type including:
Cooking with Farm Fresh Produce,” and a multitude B&Bs, cabins and
of outdoor and historic amenities. cottages, resorts,
tent and RV
Georgia’s land use planning and regulations are highly campgrounds,
decentralized with a maximum of local control. inns, parks,
Compared to Oregon’s system of state goals and hostels, and
regulations that provide the framework for local plan hotels. The

and development codes, the Georgia system is highly website allows
permissive and does not provide a workable model registration
for Washington County. As recently as 1985, only 36 at multiple
percent of Georgia Counties had zoning regulations . locations.
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Vermont Countryside. Photo courtesy of Kan
44 www.georgia.org/industries/georgia-tourism Khampanya
45 www.exploregeorgia.org
46 Land Use Problems and Issues in Rural Georgia. Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 2004. www.tourismfutures.com.au/Publications/2009Presentations/Por-
caro%20Pauline%20PP.pdf www.card.iastate.edu/iowa_ag_review/summer_04/IAR.pdf (Page 8) www.slowfood.com http://slowfoodportland.com/events/
47 www.vermontvacation.com
52 WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY