SECTION I
INTRODUCTION


Leisure and Recreation Concepts, Inc. (LARC, as we are known in the industry) was engaged to assist the City of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, with a current analysis of the city's tourism program. Eureka Springs has experienced declines in tourism tax revenues and guest attendance to the area. In this report, LARC will assess all areas and issues that affect the city's tourism program.

LARC's assessment of Eureka Springs' tourism program, tourism assets, and recent related experience concludes that the city lacks organization in its tourism program. Organization, including cooperation between all the elements involved, is the key to a strong tourism program, ensuring that individual parts work together to benefit the community. This study will advise city officials how to organize their efforts for a strong tourism program.

LARC's assessment also finds Eureka Springs lacks continuity in the marketing element of its tourism program. A successful tourism program reinforces general economic development initiatives by enhancing perceptions of quality of life and image. LARC will address marketing of Eureka Springs' attractions and diverse recreational offerings, and will elaborate on present marketing concerns.

LARC's twenty-seven years of international tourism and attraction experience suggests the following mission statement for the Eureka Springs assignment:

To guide and target tourism development activities to more effectively capitalize on current opportunities through a city-wide cooperative approach to tourism promotion and attraction development.
Based on discussions with the City of Eureka Springs, the city's Chamber of Commerce, and other tourism policy makers, a three-stage program evolved, which is detailed in the following sections of this report:

Section II
Market Assessment - An review of the history of Eureka Springs and a market analysis of the surrounding areas.
Section III
Tourism Assessment - An objective assessment of the Eureka Springs tourism program, recent experiences, assets, and market opportunities.
Section IV
Tourism Strategy - Development of the Tourism Program: A recommended guideline for successful tourism development for small communities.
Section V
Summary of Previous Sections, Conclusions and Recommendations.
Table of ContentsSection II - Tourism AsssessmentSection III - Attraction Development OptionsSection IV - Tourism Strategy Development of the Tourism ProgramSection V - Summary