Evansville, US (TAN): Southern Indiana’s popularity as a tourism destination is increasing, say representatives of several regional tourism bureaus.
Organizations from across the Indiana state gathered for a media event at New Albany on March 12 to discuss the tourist attractions offered in Indiana. Southern Indiana agencies such as the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention Tourism Bureau (SoIN) and Harrison County Convention and Visitors Bureau were among the organizations taking part in the event, which was presented by the Indiana Tourism Association.
Clark County is located in the US state of Indiana, located directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky.
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Each organization highlighted parks, events, businesses and other tourist attractions in their areas.
According to the News and Tribune, Russell Goodwin, communications manager for SoIN Tourism, said one of the tourism bureau’s main responsibilities was to amplify the attractions in Clark and Floyd counties so that people want to cross the bridge from Louisville to visit, as well as drawing visitors from other areas. He said he sees more people considering Southern Indiana as a destination.
The construction of the Ohio River Greenway, a seven-mile (11.2km) path extending from Jeffersonville to New Albany, is one of the most significant developments for Southern Indiana tourism. The upcoming development of a 400-acre park planned along the Ohio river is also projected to be a major tourist draw.
Agri-tourism plays a major role in Southern Indiana, particularly with destinations such as Huber’s Orchard and Winery and Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant. The growth of dining and shopping in downtown New Albany and Jeffersonville are also key attractions.
In addition to attractions such as the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge, downtown Jeffersonville also continues to expand with the creation of the NoCo Arts and Cultural District.
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Goodwin said these types of developments increase the area’s quality of living, and tourism can be “the front door” for people in Southern Indiana.
“People want to visit, they have a great time, they spend money and they stay overnight and eventually they may move their family here,” Goodwin was quoted by the News and Tribune as saying. “So projects like the Greenway, like the NoCo Arts and Cultural District, the Big Four Bridge — all those amenities encourage people to move here and help people have a great experience and they’ll tell someone else about it.”