For Immediate Release
October 26, 2000

On the TRACS of Tourism: Georgia Tech Offers Assistance to Local and Regional Tourism Efforts

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In response to a growing demand for research on the tourism industry, Georgia Tech has launched the Tourism and Regional Assistance Centers (TRACS).

Economic developers can tap TRACS in their increasing efforts to explore the potential for local and regional tourism, seeking to get a share of the some $16 billion visitors annually spend in Georgia. With offices in Atlanta and Brunswic k, TRACS can react quickly to requests for research and technical assistance from across the state.

Initial funding for TRACS comes from the state-funded Economic Development Research Program and the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) through Georgia Tech’s EDA University Center. EDA has awarded TRACS a $100,000 planning grant. Also, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs plans to fund research on a project-by-project basis. Additional funding sources include the University System of Georgia and local cost-sharing.

Requests for projects will be accepted on an ongoing basis from travel associations and convention and visitors bureaus as well as from chambers of commerce and other traditional economic development organizations. If a request passes the program’s review process and the submitting organization(s) provides the necessary cost-sharing, TRACS will manage the project to completion. Criteria for selection include:

• Benefit to a multi-jurisdictional region,
• Benefit to areas outside metro Atlanta,
• Potential for job creation,
• Likelihood of successful implementation.

Requests from economically distressed counties will receive preference.

TRACS staff have conducted more than a dozen major projects concerning tourism in Georgia, including visitor profiles, market segmentation, economic impact analyses and feasibility studies for projects and events. Studies have included a potential resort in Lincoln County, an outlet mall in McIntosh County, increased visitation to the Okefenokee Swamp and nature-based tourism along the Altamaha River, among others.

According to TRACS Director Ed Lindsey, the EDA Center provides a mechanism to undertake technical assistance; in other words, helping communities implement recommendations from the research. This technical assistance from TRACS can entail marketing planning, media planning, workshops, and promotional materials design.

For more information, contact either TRACS office: Ed Lindsey (912-634-4861); E-mail: (ed.lindsey@edi.gatech.edu) or Ann O’Neill (404-894-3113); E-mail: (ann.oneill@edi.gatech.edu).

RESEARCH NEWS & PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
Georgia Institute of Technology
75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 USA

MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACTS:
John Toon (404-894-6986);
Internet: john.toon@edi.gatech.edu;
FAX: (404-894-4545) - or -

Jane Sanders (404-894-2214);
E-mail: jane.sanders@edi.gatech.edu.

WRITER: Lincoln Bates