Tourism has always been an undervalued and underdeveloped activity in Carroll County. So, it was refreshing to hear at a recent business powwow that Jack Lyburn, Carroll's new economic development director, understands tourism's potential for generating jobs and income.
Developing a higher profile for the county by improving marketing efforts, as Mr. Lyburn suggested, is an important first step. But the county should also examine existing policies that discourage the creation of tourist amenities. To have a vibrant tourist industry, you need businesses where tourists can spend money. To that end, the county should encourage the creation of new restaurants, shops, bed and breakfast inns and hotels.
Nothing could be worse for the local economy than having tourists drive into Carroll, visit historic sites and then leave without eating a meal, buying some curios or spending the night at a hotel. Under that scenario, the county reaps the worst of tourism -- increased traffic, crowded parks, more trash -- but few of the rewards.
From his remarks to the county's Tourist Association, it appears that Mr. Lyburn understands that a successful tourism business also depends on a well-conceived economic development strategy. "Tourism and economic development go hand-in-hand. We keep on running into each other," he told the group.
With that in mind, the county has to examine current zoning and liquor board policies to ensure they don't discourage the sensible development of bed and breakfasts, resorts and restaurants. Carroll's new board of commissioners should ask for an internal review to determine if changes in current rules and regulations are necessary.
The county's policymakers also have to realize that a successful tourism industry may harbor the seeds of its own destruction. Too much development can destroy the very attractions that bring people into Carroll. For example, nearby Pennsylvania Dutch country continues to be a huge attraction, but some potential visitors now eschew it as overly commercial. The county needs to make every effort to maintain Carroll's rustic charm. It won't be an easy task choosing which development projects generate tourist dollars yet maintain the county's rural air.