Iffy Destinations
Aug 29th, 2007, 05:22 PM
#1
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Iffy Destinations
How do we address places in our area that are trying hard to become destinations but may not be places that we would recommend? For an example, Springfield MA. Here is a city that is striving to be somewhere people want to go. It has the Basketball Hall of Fame, Dr. Seuss' house, sculptures, etc., plenty of good restaurants, 6 Flags next door. Despite all this, I am reluctant to recommend it as an example of MA or New England. On the other hand, I am rooting for them. How do you resolve this?
Aug 29th, 2007, 05:29 PM
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I would recommend places like Springfield as part of a multiple destination. In addition to all of the things that you have mentioned, Springfield is also close to Hartford, CT, upstate NY, and Vermont. It would be great to include it in an Autumn "leaf-peeping" tour. I hope that helps with your dilemma.
Aug 29th, 2007, 09:19 PM
#3
I lived in Springfield for 4 years going to school (yes basketball hall of fame!). If you are reluctant to recommend it just don't say anything. That's what I do.
Reason being, when I post a question, I don't want someone trying to do the city tourist bureau a favor, I want an honest opinion. If there's someone out there in love w/ Springfield, let them post the reply.
Reason being, when I post a question, I don't want someone trying to do the city tourist bureau a favor, I want an honest opinion. If there's someone out there in love w/ Springfield, let them post the reply.
Aug 30th, 2007, 01:38 AM
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Hello shaz, I completely agree with Suze's thoughts.
I live in an area where there is a very large Outlet Store complex, the JellyBelly Factory, a revised NutTree Complex. People do come here from out of the area to visit but quite frankly I wouldn't. So unless someone specifically asks about those places or about the area in general I never mention them as personally it is not where I would want to spend my vacation time.
I live in an area where there is a very large Outlet Store complex, the JellyBelly Factory, a revised NutTree Complex. People do come here from out of the area to visit but quite frankly I wouldn't. So unless someone specifically asks about those places or about the area in general I never mention them as personally it is not where I would want to spend my vacation time.
Aug 30th, 2007, 06:26 AM
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Would I recommend Springfield as a destination? Probably not. Would I recommend that anyone passing by as a tourist(either going up or down the Connecticut River Valley) or east/west through the Berkshires stop there? Yes.
I would particularly recommend it for overseas visitors who would like to get off the tourist trap route and see something of the US, warts and all.
I think a lot of places that try to bootstrap themselves would do better by cooperating with other cities on the same routes and advertising themselves as a "tour".
The Connecticut River Valley from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound is either beautiful or interesting or both along its entire length, but you can't see it from the interstate. Who is promoting this route to tourists?
The train trip from NYC to Albany up the Hudson is the scenic equal of any such trip in the world and would appeal to a lot of people at the end or beginning of a US vacation if they only knew about it. They could stop to see Hyde Park, Roosevelt's home; the great Hudson estates; the modern art at the Dia Foundation; West Point; etc, then go on to Saratoga Springs and even into the mountains IF the towns would get together, promote the trip, make sure you can get to those places by public transportation, and that the hours met the needs of visitors. All too often, the Chambers of Commerce work in competition when cooperation would help everyone.
I would particularly recommend it for overseas visitors who would like to get off the tourist trap route and see something of the US, warts and all.
I think a lot of places that try to bootstrap themselves would do better by cooperating with other cities on the same routes and advertising themselves as a "tour".
The Connecticut River Valley from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound is either beautiful or interesting or both along its entire length, but you can't see it from the interstate. Who is promoting this route to tourists?
The train trip from NYC to Albany up the Hudson is the scenic equal of any such trip in the world and would appeal to a lot of people at the end or beginning of a US vacation if they only knew about it. They could stop to see Hyde Park, Roosevelt's home; the great Hudson estates; the modern art at the Dia Foundation; West Point; etc, then go on to Saratoga Springs and even into the mountains IF the towns would get together, promote the trip, make sure you can get to those places by public transportation, and that the hours met the needs of visitors. All too often, the Chambers of Commerce work in competition when cooperation would help everyone.
