Strategic Plan Update 2005
Dear Hocking Hills Tourism Association Members:
We have finalized the draft copy of our updated strategic plan. Your current board members and HHTA staff have worked diligently to provide a very complete and comprehensive plan in this living document. The plan is 16 pages in length and is available by clicking here. It is also available at either the Logan or Laurelville Welcome Center. Due to the plan’s length and being good environmental stewards, we are not sending out paper copies to everyone, as it is conveniently available electronically. However if you cannot access the electronic version, you may call the HHTA office at 740-385-2750 and ask that a copy be mailed.
We are asking for member comments to the plan before adopting an official copy. Please contact the HHTA office with any comments to the plan by November 30, 2005. I highly encourage all of you to review the plan. In the plan we address such issues as:
- Land Use Planning/Zoning education and its direct effect on tourism
- Preservation of Hocking Hills resources and establishing sustainable capacities
- Evaluate the need for additional activities that compliment our wide array of guest accommodations.
- Marketing plan to incorporate cultural and heritage tourism.
- The need to provide additional support and increase our volunteer staff
- Promotional plan for the Hocking Hills region for niche markets and group tours
That is just a very brief overview, much more is included. The goals of the strategic plan are broad and designed to guide us for the next three years. From the goals in the plan, each year we will develop a detailed action plan with specific steps to work towards our goal.
We have been working as a board on this plan for over 4 months. I have repeatedly asked for member’s involvement. Also within the last two months the Hocking County Land use plan has been released for review. This board and the HHTA have been waiting on the land use plan to be released so that we can assist in educating our members in regards to the impact this issue has on tourism.
Our organization was formed to promote and increase tourism to our county and region. That is our main purpose! We are a marketing organization and a very effective one. The Hocking Hills is one of the top destinations in the Midwest United States and within the top three in numbers of visitors for the state of Ohio. According to recent figures from the state of Ohio’s office of Travel and Tourism, Hocking County was blessed to receive almost 250 million dollars in tourism revenue in 2004.
Tourism is a very large industry. Many statistics indicate that tourism is the number one industry in the United States and the world. So a plethora of issues will constantly surround it. An organization with a clear focus and goal is much more effective than one that becomes scattered and controversial.
In my 23 years of involvement in the tourism industry, change has been the only constant. We need to be vigilant in all areas that impact tourism. This board has spent several months working on this updated comprehensive plan. During this process, we have identified several important issues, which include:
- Visitor capacity levels;
- Niche marketing;
- Quality service and the Hocking Hills experience;
- Member education concerning land use planning.
The board will devote even more time as we continue to develop and then implement the action plans. As you can see, no one on this board has their heads buried in the sand in regards to the important issues that affect tourism. Obviously, the board cannot focus all of its energy and resources on only one issue. There are too many issues that need our attention.
Please review the plan online or call the HHTA office for a copy. Submit comments and suggestions to us by November 30. A final version of the plan will be adopted by the Board at the December meeting. As soon as it is in effect, we will begin developing our 2006 action plan.
Please volunteer to work on one of the upcoming committees as we tackle these important issues. Your involvement is so important to the continued success of the number one industry in this county.
Sincerely,
Steve Roley
HHTA President
