CAMERON COUNTY TOURISM: GO IT ALONE?
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOOKING TO FORM PROMOTIONAL AGENCY

Cameron County may break away from a regional marketing organization and attempt to reach out to tourists on its own.

With the county's economy growing increasingly dependent on tourist dollars, some local leaders believe a new approach could be in Cameron County's best interests.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Johns Lorson confirmed that the organization's board of directors is discussing the move, which would require various approvals.

Currently, the multi-county Pa. Northwest Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau is the county's official tourist promotion agency.

As such, the bureau qualifies for state funding that supports local tourism.

Lorson said she believes a single-county entity, controlled by directors solely from Cameron County, could market the area more effectively.

Among funding sources would be the county's motel room and campsite tax, which generated $4,000 in 2007, after yielding about $6,200 the previous year. One reason for the falloff was the loss of fishing habitat due to the June 2006 train derailment and lye spill near Keating Summit.

According to Lorson, the Chamber is already handling some promotional responsibilities, including publishing its own brochures and a booklet, and recently opened an Artisan Center in Emporium.

She discussed the proposal with Cameron County Commissioners JoAnn Smith, Glen Fiebig and Phil Jones on Monday. All three commissioners appeared to be supportive.

"I know we are going to get more bang for our buck if we combine the Chamber and a tourist promotion agency," said Fiebig. "We could do it very easily."

Cameron County already benefits from regional tourism through its involvement in the Pennsylvania Wilds, Lumber Heritage and other initiatives.

Those affiliations would not be affected by a withdrawal from the Great Outdoors organization, which promotes tourism in Elk, Cameron, Clarion, Jefferson and Forest counties.