The Art of Managing
Rural Tourism
Helping rural towns develop community-based tourism strategies and action plans that support the economy and preserve livability.
When you think about tourism in your rural community, do you wonder…
How can we benefit from the economics of tourism without compromising our community’s livability?
How can our city leverage tourism dollars to improve our community? And what improvements do our communities want?
Do we have the capacity and infrastructure to focus on “heads in beds” advertising, or do we rethink how we manage tourism marketing?
Are we sharing our destination story based on what’s important to our residents and businesses? Are we involving local voices and values?
How RTP Helps Your Community
Facilitating community planning workshops, resulting in action plans that get projects done
With community input through workshops, a town will have a “boots-on-the-ground”plan to get their prioritized projects done, with suggested resources for funding.
Developing local experiences that attract niche visitors and support local businesses
Experience programs, such as culinary, cultural and art trails, outdoor recreation, wayfinding, accessibility, agritourism that attract and support “your” visitor.
Managing marketing for rural areas consistent with community vision and business needs
Contracted “chief marketing officer” services offering strategic planning, initiatives, oversight and reporting of activities, grant development and management.
FEATURED CASE STUDY
Bringing Your Town Together in a Common Vision
From Conflict to Action: How Oceanside, Oregon Unified Around Shared Projects
My Story
Nan Devlin
What would you do if a devout Catholic innkeeper insisted you and your boyfriend sleep in bunk beds in a room covered in posters of Jesus; a priest sits you next to the President of Ireland in a cathedral in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day; then sends you to a busy local pub where a band invites you to the stage while the pub goers sing “Danny Boy” to you?
It happened all in one day…
Need Credentials?
Master’s in Tourism Administration,
The George Washington University
Bachelor of Science in Geography,
Portland State University
Certified Interpretive Guide,
National Association of Interpretation
Guest Service Gold Certified Trainer,
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute
Co-Starters Business Start-up Certified Trainer
Professional Grant Writer, National Funding Foundation
Multiple awards and recognition in marketing, writing, and tourism projects
Ready to turn your community into a thriving tourism destination?
Learn how Rural Tourism Partners can help you with community-based tourism, experiences development, strategic marketing or grant management.
Addressing the crowd at the opening of the newly redesigned Cape Kiwanda parking lot and restroom
FAQs
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The host town gathers community members for three, 2-hour workshops (occasionally a fourth workshop if desired), and the facilitator takes the group through 1) identifying desired community enhancements, 2) deeper discussion, refining needs, 3) prioritizing, forming action teams, suggesting possible funding. A final report Is delivered to the town’s workshop coordinator for distribution. The facilitator follows up quarterly to answer questions, provide guidance and ideas.
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Experience programs not only attract visitors to a destination based on their interests, but it also builds economic vitality for the businesses involved in the experience.
Food trails provide much needed marketing efforts, and help visitors discover new places to enjoy food and beverage, plus culinary classes, events, experiences, such as fishing, crabbing, farm visits, farmers markets or guided tours.
Cultural heritage trails help destinations share the unique history of their culture.
Arts trails bring higher income visitors to galleries, shops offering one-of-a-kind offerings, and events that combine arts and culinary.
Wayfinding is a way for towns to share their values and interests through interpretive signage.
Accessibility programs provide access to all, whether on trails or the beach, In parks or museums.
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A fractional chief marketing officer works closely with the executive director or a city council, chamber board, etc. on developing a strong strategic marketing plan, based on community input. This is a contract position, which provides needed ongoing services, such as oversight and reporting of marketing programs and other support, without the cost of a full-time position.
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Developing tourism-related grants can take a lot of work, from idea to awarding funds, to completed project – and all the work in-between.
The process takes an experience in concept, eligibility, applicant support, scoring and reviewing, contracting, fiscal management, follow-up and project close-out. Rural Tourism Partners has 11 years of experience in the process, with full and accurate reporting. -
Photographers include:
Greg Kozawa
Tillamook Headlight Herald
Travel Oregon
Bruce Jaeger
Bridget and Dewey, co-advisors