MARYVILLE, Tenn. – With so many people drawn to the beautiful Smoky Mountain vistas, mild temperatures and wealth of outdoor activities, Blount County, Tenn., attracts 3.5 million visitors each year, generating more than $345 million in economic impact.
The influence of tourism is evident nationwide as a $2.1 trillion industry creating 15.1 million jobs. This impact is felt in Blount County, as it equates to more than $355.93 million in economic impact. To promote the contributions of travel markets and organizations to the U.S. economy, National Travel & Tourism week is set for May 7-13, 2017.
Blount County plans to join in this celebration with a special event, Blount County’s Tourism Day, on Thurs., May 11, at 3 p.m. at the Blount Partnership, with a cocktail reception and catering by Dancing Bear Lodge, one of Blount County’s many Townsend, Tenn., destinations based on “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies.”
The Blount Partnership houses four entities: the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Board of Blount County, the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority (SMTDA) and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
At Blount County’s Tourism Day, the Blount Partnership will also be honored with an accreditation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization. This significant honor and milestone makes the Blount Partnership the first IEDC accredited organization in Tennessee and the 55th worldwide.
This recognition was earned based on the Blount Partnership’s exceptional work in economic organizational development and strategic planning, benchmarking, best practices, workforce development, sustainability, entrepreneurship, finance and the sustained successes of tourism development.
Blount County’s Tourism Day is hosted by Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority (SMTDA), the lead agency in charge of promoting tourism for destinations and overnight-stay locales across Blount County.
In addition to the accreditation honor, the event will focus on the Maryville-to-Townsend Greenway expansion project. Speakers for the event include Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation Carol Evans and Knoxville Regional TPO Principal Transportation Planner Ellen Zavisca, who will be sharing more information on this developing project.
The proposed Maryville-to-Townsend Greenway consists of more than 14 miles of trail that will connect the City of Maryville, pass through portions of pastoral Blount County, and link to Townsend, a gateway community to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This expansion is part of a larger effort to link pedestrians and bicyclists from Knoxville to Townsend.
The Greenway will have economic, social, health and wellness benefits for the residents of Blount County and the region. It will have an estimated economic impact of approximately $65 million over a 10-year period. For every $1 spent on Greenway construction and maintenance, there will be a return on investment of $2.66.
Tourism-related revenue from trails and greenways come in several forms. Greenways create opportunities in construction and maintenance, recreation rentals such as bicycles, recreation services like guided tours, historic preservation and restaurants and lodging.
In Damascus, Va., for example, the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail attracts locals and non-locals who spend approximately $2.5 million annually related to their recreation visits. Of this amount, non-local visitors spend about $1.2 million directly in the county.
Legacy Parks Foundation, a nonprofit working to ensure exceptional recreational opportunities in the region, is aiding regional planners and civic leaders to develop a strategic fundraising plan to build the Greenway expansion.
“Legacy Parks is excited to share the Maryville-to-Townsend Greenway plans at Blount County Tourism Day,” said Evans. “The Greenway will positively impact tourism in Blount County, attracting visitors from across the Southeast and beyond who can share in the enjoyment of this asset, providing numerous recreational, health and transportation benefits. We’re honored to have Legacy Parks play a significant role in the expansion.”
SMTDA hosts Blount County Tourism Day each year. This year’s focus on the Greenway expansion sheds light on the value it provides to the community. Director of tourism for the organization, Kim Mitchell, finds the potential tourism benefits to be significant.
“Competition for the tourism dollar is fierce,” said Mitchell. “The Greenway will provide visitors with an array of activities along the scenic backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. These visitors equate to jobs, with over 3,000 jobs in Blount County attributed to tourism. Blount County’s Tourism Day raises awareness for this important industry that supports our area and way of life, and we’re thrilled that our efforts will be honored as an Accredited Economic Development Organization.”