480 likes | 501 Vues
Developing Rural Tourism Businesses. Kathy Tweeten North Dakota State University ktweeten@ndsuext.nodak.edu (701) 328-9718. Alan Barefield Southern Rural Development Center alanb@srdc.msstate.edu (662) 325-3207. What is tourism?.
E N D
Developing Rural Tourism Businesses Kathy Tweeten North Dakota State University ktweeten@ndsuext.nodak.edu (701) 328-9718 Alan Barefield Southern Rural Development Center alanb@srdc.msstate.edu (662) 325-3207
What is tourism? The practice of traveling for recreation. The guidance or management of tourists as a business or governmental function. The economic activities associated with and dependent on tourists. Webster’s Dictionary
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding)
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding • Kayaking, Rafting, & Tubing
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding • Kayaking, Rafting, & Tubing • Off-road Biking
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding • Kayaking, Rafting, & Tubing • Off-road Biking • Festivals
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding • Kayaking, Rafting, & Tubing • Off-road Biking • Festivals • Museums
Rural Tourism Opportunities • Hunting Services (Leasing & Guiding) • Fee Fishing & Guide Services • Cabin Rentals • Bed & Breakfasts • Horseback Riding • Kayaking, Rafting, & Tubing • Off-road Biking • Festivals • Museums • Corn Mazes
Problem AreasTo Address • Lack of destination attraction in rural areas • Why would people come to your area to visit? • Is there anything to keep them there? • This could be a perfect opportunity to COOPERATE!
Problem AreasTo Address • Lack of marketing expertise • There are many agencies, organizations, and associations devoted to tourism • Many of these services are free • Contact the state department of tourism
Problem AreasTo Address • Undercapitalization • Tourism businesses typically have a long startup period • Profit margins are usually thin (especially in the startup period) • Occupancy or attendance rates are the key
Problem AreasTo Address • Lack of customer identification • Your market is probably not the world • What is the target group? • Families • Singles • Seniors • Youth • Men • Women
Marketing Considerations • Determine the set of attractions that will make tourists stop or preferably stay in your area
Marketing Considerations • Determine your niche in this set • What product or service would you like to produce that other people would want to buy? • Who will buy this product or service? • Develop a business plan to determine the feasibility of this enterprise • The first step in the business plan is the marketing study
Marketing Considerations • What is the targeted market? • How big is it? • What factors influence this market? • Is the market growing or declining? • What market share do you want to capture? • How does your business relate to the market? • Will your business grow as the market grows? • Will your business decline as the market declines?
Marketing Considerations • Describe the competition • Who are your five closest competitors? • The competitors for a bed & breakfast are not other bed & breakfasts • What are the SWOTs of these competitors? • Strengths Weaknesses • Opportunities Threats • How is your business different from the competitors? • How is it better?
opportunityisnowhere • Attitude • Assess resources • Human • Financial • Natural • Visit a like business • Study the market • Determine the feasibility
Big Business!!! • North Dakota - $63.2 million increase in visitor spending in 2003 • Second largest industry • $4.0 million in sales tax revenue (03) • Growth continues!!!!
Millenial 8% Generation X 22% Baby Boom 39% Swing & WWII (Matures) Boomers -independent spend more money travel further Customer Profile
Trends • Novelty and change • Simplify life • Group tours decreasing • Family vacations • Educational travel • Remote areas • Home state travel
Trends Con’t. • Exercise and outdoor activity • Back to nature • Wildlife-related • Create memories
Fastest Growing Land-Based • Bird watching • Hiking • Backpacking • Primitive Camping • Walking • Snowmobiling (fastest growing)
Key to Success Plan with the end in mind.
Community College Connection • Technical assistance • Planning • Taxes • Legal structure • Feasibility analysis • Marketing – plan and tools • Best practices • Web page development • Local advocate and supporter • Conducting a BR&E Visitation Survey