Title
Acceptance of the Tourism Strategic Plan and Consideration of an Ad Hoc Tourism Implementation Task Force
Recommended Action
I move to accept the Tourism Strategic Plan, appoint an Ad Hoc Tourism Implementation Task Force composed of tourism stakeholders and citizens, direct staff to return to Council with proposed members and charter of Task Force in the next 45 days.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Tourism Work Group recommends acceptance of this plan and has submitted a letter of support (Attachment B).
Body
In January 2017, Council created the strategic priority goal, “Build the tourism economy.” Following this Council direction and as a result of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the County entered into a service agreement with Design Workshop, Inc. to provide tourism strategic planning services. The highlights of the agreement include five public forums, eight steering committee meetings, baseline analysis, creation/maintenance of project website and creation of strategic/action plan. Additionally, Council appointed a steering committee (now known as “Tourism Work Group”) consisting of 20 passionate and dedicated citizens including representatives from our attractions and NPS superintendents that serve as liaisons to the group. The Tourism Work Group (TWG) has met ten times throughout this process.
This item represents the culmination of an intense, eight month strategic planning process that began in May 2017. The planning process included the following:
--Reviewed over 60 reports and studies submitted by staff and TWG ranging from 2016 Comprehensive Plan to NM Tourism annual reports.
--Consultant convened four focus groups focusing on Downtown Vitality/Visitor Services; Recreation Attractions and Activities; Cultural Attractions and Events; and Economic Vitality Action Team (65 invited; 38 participated)
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