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STREET ADDRESS Robeson County 455 Caton Rd O.P. Owens Agriculture Center Lumberton, NC 28360 (910) 671-3276 Phone (910) 671-6278 Fax Map & Mailing Information Recent Tweets Tonight at 6 pm: [more] teams with #NCSU researchers to investigate germs in students' lunch boxes | [more] |
I have used this column in the past to share my ideas about the tremendous potential we have here in Robeson County to generate a lot more income from tourism. I have also shared some suggestions about agricultural-related tourism activities and events and how agritourism may provide additional income opportunities for our local farmers and farm owners. Since this is the peak of the tourist season, allow me to share some additional thoughts. We have to realize that very few people recognize Robeson County as a vacation site. People do not typically identify with a county when they plan their vacations. With the exception of places like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, most people identify the sites or attractions they plan to visit. Even with Lancaster County, most people visiting that area refer to it as Amish country. People visiting Disney World do not tell their friends they are going to Orange County, Florida, for their vacation. People vacationing or golfing in Myrtle Beach do not tell their friends they are going to Horry County, South Carolina. The largest increase in dollars spent for tourism these days is related to events and activities centered around cultural, heritage, and environmental activities. Rural areas, such as Robeson County, provide tremendous opportunities to capture tourism dollars related to these activities. Anytime someone visits a farm or farm-type activity and pays money for something they receive during that visit, the income generated can be considered to be related to tourism. Someone visiting a roadside market at one of our local farms, and buying products from that farmer, is really supporting tourism in our area. We don't think much about it when the visitor is from just down the road, but when that visitor is from another county, or even another state, it is much easier to understand the relation to tourism. Although there is still tremendous potential for growth by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to those living in our county, we do not need to limit our potential by not considering how we may reap many additional dollars from those passing through our county. Our regional farmers market has hundreds of visitors each day, most of them just passing through our county. These tourists are looking for opportunities to spend their tourism dollars on fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other products typically found at such markets. What other type activities can be considered agritourism? We currently have two corn mazes under construction in the county. The Robeson Restitution Society that normally does a haunted house on Pine Street in Lumberton every Halloween is constructing a Haunted Corn Maze at the Southeastern North Carolina Farmers Market. Bo Stone and his family are constructing a corn maze at Bo's Berry Patch just outside Rowland. Each of these mazes will cater to different clients. The one at the Farmers Market is structured more to attract thrill seekers and those who usually visit haunted houses. They will also cater to school groups and other youth. The one in Rowland is structured more for school group visits and will focus on agricultural awareness and agricultural education. However, families and other groups will find this maze both fun and educational. Most of these potential clients visiting these mazes will be from Robeson County or somewhere close by. But it is easy to understand that once others hear about these mazes, visitors will come from many other places to participate in what has become a very popular agritourism activity. It does not take much imagination to realize that there are many other tourism-related activities that would be suitable for Robeson County. The vast majority of tourism that can be available for us is because we are located on the most traveled interstate highway on the east coast and located very conveniently about half way between where most travelers are from and where they are going. The vast majority of travelers simply stop here to spend the night, gas up, and eat. However, if there are other interesting things for them to do in this area, they will take advantage of them. If there are reasons for them to spend an extra night in our county, many of them will do so. What if someone were to offer our travelers an opportunity to spend the night in a rural bed and breakfast? How many additional travelers would spend extra money while in our county? How many rural landowners would gain additional income from a small business like this? What if someone offered our tourists the opportunity to spend a couple of days of their vacation on a working farm? How many adults would love to give their children an opportunity to see a real farm and see how their food is produced? How many other possibilities can you think of?
Share your ideas with me and give me an opportunity to help you make your ideas become a reality.
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Phone: 910-671-3276
Date Created 8/17/05 |
Summer may be vacation time for many people who are reading this column, but most of our farmers are so busy during the summer that they do not have time for much of a vacation. But it does not matter if you are a farmer or not, it is easy to see that travel and tourism activities increase drastically during the summer months, even here in Robeson County.
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