Local residents need to understand more about the importance of tourism to White County.
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chair Terra Ballinger said that led to this week’s Tourism Roadmap Session. Local residents and business leaders heard from state officials on the issue. Ballinger said she realized White County has a unique opportunity for tourism because of the proximity to state parks.
“Any state park from the center of White County, you can be at in 20 minutes or less,” Ballinger said. “And that’s almost unheard of to have five different places and falls and state parks and places to kayak that surrounds one county. And that just happens to be White County.”
Ballinger said the Tourism Roadmap session showed the chamber why people are coming, how long they are staying, and how they are spending money while in town. She said it was fascinating to see how many people come through White County every year.
Ballinger said the Chamber building in downtown Sparta is currently sharing its facility with the Scotts Gulf Park staff while a new park building is in the works. Ballinger said their perspective has been enlightening because she has been made aware of how many people are coming to Tennessee just for the parks.
Ballinger said there needs to be some kind of a tourism director in the county. She said she hopes that position is developed over the next couple of years because visitors bring lots of revenue to the county. Ballinger said everyone left the session a little more enlightened about tourism in the state.
“They let us know that Tennessee is one of the more touristy areas in the whole country right now,” Ballinger said. “We’re getting more tourism than almost anybody, and the greatest thing about it is we are here for them to come, enjoy their time, and spend their tax dollars.”
Ballinger said in turn, the Chamber can become a bigger voice for the tourist attractions White County has to offer.
“I still remember driving to Rock Island for the first time,” Ballinger said. “Still, it takes my breath away when I see it. And if you’ve not been to Scott’s Gulf or you’ve not been to Virgin Falls, it’s something you’re not going to see anywhere else in the States. And it’s right here out the whole Upper Cumberland’s backdoor.”
