Georgia Tourism Product Development Team to visit Washington County

ATLANTA, September 24, 2015 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Tourism division announced today that the Tourism Product Development Resource team will visit Washington County September 28 -30, 2015. The Tourism division's resource team is a statewide initiative that provides communities with the resources needed to identify tourism product and increase visitor activity throughout the community. 'Our team is excited to meet with Washington County leaders to explore the next level of cultural infrastructure that will attract even more visitors to this community,' said Cindy Eidson, Director of Tourism Product Development with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'During this initial visit, we will gather information and research to provide a suggested plan of tourism enhancement that will open new doors to economic development in the community.' Washington County was selected by the team to participate in this initiative, which provides technical assistance in the form of a reconnaissance and strategy for a local community interested in developing and enhancing its tourism product.  The 11 member team consists of representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission, Creative Digital and Populace Inc. During the research mission, team members will work with local leadership to assess the portfolio of tourism-related assets within the county related to heritage and cultural tourism, nature-based tourism, agritourism and retail development. The resource team's objectives include inventorying and discussing assets that are probable candidates for further developing an expanded tourism-based economy in Washington County. The team will also define solutions to overcome obstacles that may challenge such efforts. 'We are thrilled to have the state's tourism resource team visit our community to see all we have to offer,' said Christy Hinton, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. 'Their knowledge and input can help us expand on our tourism product to make our county a place people want to visit.' The site visit in Washington County will take place over three days and include a tour of the entire county and downtown commercial districts. Additionally, the team will conduct interview sessions with community stakeholders. The visit will conclude on Wednesday, September 30 in Sandersville. The resource team will return to the community in approximately 60 days and present their findings at a town hall meeting. Details of which will be announced at a later date. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts events and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org