The Shadow
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will be hosting three Familiarization (or “FAM”) Tours of the Alleghany Highlands this year.
The dates are Monday, March 30; Monday, April 27; and Monday, May 18; from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Local tourism-related businesses have been invited to participate in one of the tours by sending a staff member to be a tourist for a day.
These tours will take participants to local attractions, allowing them to experience firsthand what there is to see and do here in the region.
In 2018, travelers spent over $45 million while traveling in the Alleghany Highlands, a nearly $3 million increase from the previous year.
“Our purpose for conducting this tour,” states Teresa Hammond, executive director of the chamber, “is to help businesses such as motels and restaurants who naturally see visitors, to be able to answer the question, ‘What is there to do in the area?’ We want the staff’s answer to be an enthusiastic description of all there is to do in the area.”
Being able to readily answer that question will allow visitors to better enjoy their time, stay longer and return more often, thus increasing dollars spent in the Alleghany Highlands.
“Even if potential participants feel familiar with the area, each year there is always more to see and learn, and they will gain a new perspective of the Alleghany Highlands that they can pass on to visitors,” said Josh Taylor, special projects and marketing coordinator for the chamber.
A continental breakfast and lunch will be included as part of the day.
The chamber is providing this tour free of charge to local tourism-related businesses (motels, restaurants, service stations, attractions, etc).
Space is limited, however, so you will need to register by calling the chamber at 962-2178. Deadline to register is Wednesday, March 25, for the March 30 tour; Wednesday, April 22, for the April 27 tour; and Wednesday, May 13, for the May 18 tour.———————————————————————————————————————————————-The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is planning three upcoming Familiarization (FAM) tours of the Alleghany Highlands. Here, during a previous year, the tour stops for a visit at the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge. (Photo Courtesy Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism)
