Tourism is Economic Development Mayor’s Public Forum September 8, 2007

Tourismis

Economic Development

Mayor’s Public Forum

September 8, 2007

Mayor’s Tourism Summit

Mayor’s Tourism Summit

Follow-up Meeting September 5th

produced

Short List of Ideas to use as framework

Professional Leadership is key to

promoting and building a tourism

plan

We need to identify:

• an effective brand for Harlingen

• target markets that are the best fit for Harlingen

We must develop the best websites

possible to market opportunities for

visitors

We should consider a Hospitality Training program

We should consider Regional Marketing Opportunities

We should consider Regional Marketing

Opportunities

Youth Sports Tournaments

We Should Exploit the Climate

Year-round Birding Opportunities

We Should Exploit the Climate

Decide how to:

• best package all there is for visitors to see and do

• distribute that information

Marine Military Academy & Iwo Jima Memorial

Harlingen’s Downtown

Valley Race Park

World Birding Center

Harlingen should develop “viral”

marketing strategies for visitors such as

Winter Texans

(word of mouth)

Develop models to track return on

investment for events and visitor initiatives

R.O.I.

We need to market to residents, local businesses, and those already visiting

Harlingen to:

• Increase Group Sales (Meetings, Reunions)

• Lengthen Stays

Oversight of the visitor operation should include trade and

industry representatives using a model similar to the San Antonio CVB such as …

• Attractions

• Lodging

• Restaurants

• Transportation

• Etc.

• Creates Jobs

• Generates Tax Revenues

• Enhances Quality of Life

Tourism

Tourism

is

Economic Development