Guest to focus on tourism

A wasp makes its way over blooming wildflowers at Florida Caverns State Park Wednesday. This week’s First Friday Power Breakfast will feature a presentation on how to attract eco-tourists to Jackson County’s natural beauty.

By By ASHLEY McKEEN Floridan Staff Writer
Published: March 11, 2010

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The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Breakfast, set for tomorrow morning at 7 a.m., will host Judy Randall — a nationally recognized professional in the travel and tourism industry.
Chamber members, along with members of the program’s sponsor, RiverWay South-Apalachicola Inc., decided it was time to bring in an expert speak to the community on such an important topic for Jackson County.
Randall is presenting at the breakfast Friday morning, and will be speaking on ways to improve Jackson County’s ecotourism. Ecotourism refers not to the typical tourism, which would include attractions or theme parks, but rather to the natural beauty of the area. This type of tourism promotes historical, cultural and the flora and fauna of an area.
John Alter, member of the Tourism and Economic Growth Committee of the chamber, explained that this was the type of tourism Jackson County is looking to increase. A boost in this type of tourism could bring economic benefit to businesses and the community as a whole.
“We’re not looking to make another Panama City,” Alter said.
“We are working to promote Jackson County as a ecotourism destination, by utilizing the natural resources and beauty of our area.”
Alter explained that Friday’s breakfast will be a combination of education and orientation for community members on Jackson County’s ability to expand this type of tourism.
“Judy is a very accomplished expert in this field, and with her advice and knowledge we will hopefully gain some insight as to how we should go about forwarding our ecotourism while being careful to protect and preserve the beauty we have,” Alter said.
Homer Hurt, president of the RiverWay South-Apalachicola board, said he looks forward to Friday and thinks Randall will be very informative and provide beneficial information to the community.
“Judy is one of the best tourism development experts in the southeast,” Hurt said. “Her perspective should not only help us get a better grasp on what we can do to better promote ecotourism for Jackson County but as help us position ourselves within the region.”
Following the breakfast presentation, Randall will lead a joint workshop of the Jackson County Board of County Commission and the Jackson County Tourist Development Council.
Alter explained that Randall’s role in this workshop will be to help facilitate discussions on how Jackson County fits into the bigger regional tourism effort.
Representatives from all these organizations will be in attendance Friday; community members are welcome to attend as well. Breakfast and networking starts at 7 a.m., and the program will begin around 7:45 a.m. at the Agriculture Center, at 2741 Pennsylvania Ave. in Marianna. The workshop follows Randall’s presentation and will begin at about 9 a.m.