This week: Promoting smaller destination and Dancin' in the Streets (of Stuart)!

There are many smaller destinations around the State of Florida and the U.S. that have to compete with better known, larger and established visitor destinations.  It would almost seem to be a David and Goliath type of situation.  Nevertheless, there are many smaller destinations that do relatively well in their market area despite being in the shadows of giants.  Stuart/Martin County, Florida, the home town of Talkin’ Tourism is one such destination with only 1,700 “beds." 

Recently, the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), the organization contracted by the Martin County Tourism Development Council (overseer of the tourism dollars raised via the hotel tax), conducted a workshop that heavily influenced the CVB’s abillity to do (or not do, depending on what side of the fence you sit) the job properly. It would appear that the workshop was a success in the eyes of CVB executive director Rozeta Mahboubi.  This week Rozeta will be our guest and will talk about how she markets and promotes a smaller destination and what items approved in the work shop will help her achieve the community's goals.  It should make for a lively and informative conversation!  It will be like sitting in on “Tourism 101”.

Also joining Talkin’ Tourism this week will be Amber Ducote, account executive at Tara Biek Creative, and Ron Hart, owner of Earthtones in Downtown Stuart.  Amber and Ron serve on the committee that has organized and revamped the nearly 25 year old end of summer event--Dancing in the Street. So what has changed?  Has it gone back to its roots?  Another side bar conversation will explore whether or not these local community events help promote tourism and overnight stays.

Radio Man and History Lady always explore some aspect of the Bahamas and/or the Caribbean and upcoming regional activities, and they always throw in a few surprises. Catch the show on your radio dial at 1590 AM locally or click on http://www.wpsltv.com/ for the live stream from anywhere in the world because, we will be Talkin’ Tourism---every Friday at 10:05 a.m.!