Published: June 11, 2008 02:09 am      

Great outdoors tourism workshop set June 19

PALESTINE — On June 19, the Texas Forest Trail Region and Palestine Convention and Visitors Bureau will co-host a workshop titled “Thinking Outside the Building: Innovative Approaches to Tourism in the Great Outdoors.”

The workshop, held at scenic Elmwood Gardens in Palestine, will feature speakers Barbara Parmley of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department State Parks division and Tamberly Conway, a doctoral candidate at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Both will discuss the planning and developing of different natural resource and place-based tourism initiatives using various marketing and partnership strategies.

In addition to the morning session speakers, Elmwood Gardens owners Dee Dee and Jim Turnage will give a tour of the facilities and grounds, along with a talk about the importance of the great outdoors in attracting patrons to their business.

Following the workshop, the Texas Forest Trail Region will hold its bi-monthly board of directors meeting.

Workshop participants are encouraged to attend and learn more about the activities throughout the region.

“East Texans are very lucky to have such abundant natural resources all around us that are not only beautiful to look at and enjoy, but also are a powerful economic development engine for our communities,” said Tim Culp, Texas Forest Trail Region board chair and director of Crockett Economic Development.

The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include coffee, pastries and lunch as part of the registration fee. Registration is $15 on or before Thursday and $20 from June 13-19. Registration forms and a detailed schedule are available online at www.texasforesttrail.com.

“As a TFTR board member, I invite anyone who is interested in promoting our city and area to tourists, particularly nature enthusiasts, to attend this seminar,” said Susan Cottle-Leonard, director of tourism and conventions for the city. “Anyone interested in nature opportunities and in finding out more about our area will also benefit.

“This city and area is blessed with natural beauty, and that is becoming more and more a rare and valuable commodity — one which tourists are seeking,” Leonard continued.

“Thinking Outside the Building” is part of a bi-monthly series of workshops offered by the Texas Forest Trail that are open to the public and geared especially toward tourism and economic development professionals, historic and outdoor recreation site managers, and nature enthusiasts.

The Texas Forest Trail Region is a regional tourism initiative developed by the Texas Historical Commission that fosters regional economic development by promoting heritage tourism through the preservation of cultural and historic resources and regional partnerships.

The Texas Forest Trail Region encompasses 35 counties in East Texas including Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Walker and Wood.

“Palestine is a destination that combines great scenic beauty; opportunities for nature, culture and heritage tourism; Southern charm; and attractions such as the Texas State Railroad.” Leonard said. “And it’s the natural beauty that binds all the elements together to make the whole of the destination more than a sum of its parts.

“We invite you to think outside the building with us and to help increase tourism’s benefit to your community.”

For more information or to receive workshop registration information by mail or e-mail, contact regional coordinator Mary Turner at 936/560-3699 or txforesttrail@gmail.com or visit www.texasforesttrail.com