Findings and Recommendations from a Mail Survey and Focus Group
Meetings with Business Operators in the Central and Western Adirondack Park
Research & Analysis by: Bryan Higgins, Ph.D., Planning & Geography Department at Plattsburgh State University and Timothy Holmes, Holmes & Associates, Saranac Lake NY Research sponsored by: Wildlife Conservation Society and their Ford Foundation-Supported Adirondack Conservation and Communities Program Additional financial support provided by the following Adirondack Park-based organizations: Adirondack Museum, Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks & Adirondack Economic Development Corporation In-kind support provided by: SUNY-Plattsburgh and Holmes & Associates
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Table of Contents
1. Acknowledgements and Executive Summary
2. Introduction
2.1 Background on the Adirondack Park 2.2 Methodology 2.3 Format of the Report
3. Status of Tourism Research, Planning, and Development in the Adirondacks
3.1 Tourism Research in the Adirondacks 3.2 Economic Impacts of Tourism 3.3 Tourist Characteristics 3.4 Marketing and Promotion of Adirondack Tourism 3.5 Geography of Tourism Stakeholders and the Tourism Infrastructure 3.6 Tourism Planning and Community Development
4. Business Operators’ Perspective on the Status of Tourism in the Central and Western Adirondack Park
4.1 Entrepreneurship is a Crucial Dimension of Local Economies 4.2 Income, Profitability and Customer Base 4.3 Perceived Change in the Local Business Climate During the 1990s 4.4 Business Assessment of Local Tourism Strengths and Weaknesses 4.5 Recreation Activities Providing the Greatest Economic Impact 4.6 Business Operators’ Perspective on Adirondack Tourism Issues
5. Business Perspective on Transforming the Tourism Economy of the Central and Western Adirondacks
5.1 A Community Based Framework for Improving the Tourism Economy 5.2 Emphasizing Business Development for the Motivated Entrepreneur 5.3 Highlighting Stewardship and the Environment 5.4 Analyze Community Tourism Destinations and Develop Innovative Regional Tourism Alternatives
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
6.1 Major Findings 6.1.1 Interpretation of Major Findings 6.2 Recommendations 6.2.1 Implications for Tourism Business, Communities and the Environment 6.3 Conclusion
7. Bibliography and Appendices
Appendix A: Comments on Why Business has Improved or Declined Recently A-1Please send comments or questions about this research report to bryan.higgins@plattsburgh.edu .Appendix B: Comments on the Best Actions to Improve Tourism Economy B-1
Appendix C: Response Rates by Item in the Survey Instrument C-1
Appendix D: Key Informant & Focus Group Protocols D-1
Appendix E: Preliminary List of Adirondack Tourism Stakeholder Groups E-1
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