Economic Development Issues late 1940s-1950s Expectation that urban manufacturing would rebound from Depression-era performance City governments were committed to re- asserting the economic dominance of their downtowns Property Tax Revenue Retail Activities Existing Business
City’s Infrastructure had been neglected and suffered from lack of maintenance and obsolescence Needed upgrading of public utilities Construction of Modern Airports Construction of Highways to support increased automobile usage A redeveloped downtown area would retain businesses, attract investors, and help city hold on to its middle class
Manufacturing would provide satisfactory jobs for the working class Conclusion: To increase consumer income— Manufacturing To increase property tax revenues (retail, office developers, and middle class)— Redevelop Downtown and Clear Slums To increase investment and new households—Good Infrastructure
Tourism Becomes Economic Development Strategy 1920s-early 1950s: Leisure defined as not being at work, extensive travel reserved for the rich Post World War II: Rising Disposable Income Restructuring of Work Suburbanization Rising Levels of Education
Demand for tourist facilities increases Expansion of white collar and business services Shift toward information economy Number of trade shows, conferences, and professional organizations increases
Tourism and Travel seek to gain professional status Development of Associations Networking and Exchange of Information Work to expand markets and capture new business
Idea of “Tourist Destination” Emerges Corporations create large scale destinations Sea World, Atlantic City, Festival Marketplaces Rise of Hotel Chains Historic Preservation and Environmental Movements Preservation groups work to designate site and market sites City’s “history” becomes important, Suburbanites become day-trippers and tourist
Tourism’s New Role Fiscal Crisis of 1970s Hyper-inflation and High Rates of Unemployment Inter-governmental competition for taxpayers and investors Taxation of Visitors Subsequent Search for New Sources of Economic Growth New Belief that city economy should be diversified Examination of Existing Assets (Tourism Resources) Low Entry Costs into Market
Displacement of Production-Oriented Economy to a Consumption-Oriented Economy Services Not Just Goods Advocacy of Tourism Sector Public-Private Initiatives Tourism Development, Property Development, and Infrastructure