1. Strengthening tourism through education and research Tourism Resource Teams: Innovation with & for tourism communities Cynthia Messer, M.A. Ingrid E. Schneider, Ph.D. Okey Ukaga, Ph.D. ©Explore Minnesota Tourism

2. Strengthening tourism through education and research  Purpose  Process  Implementation  Lessons learned  Discussion Overview ©Explore Minnesota Tourism

3. Strengthening tourism through education and research www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu

4. Strengthening tourism through education and research One area of focus is Recreation & Tourism  Goals: Increase incorporation of the principles of sustainable development in recreation & tourism. Assist & empower communities to achieve sustainable tourism & recreation goals. Tourism Resource Team

5. Strengthening tourism through education and research Immediate and on-going technical & professional tourism assistance to communities to emphasize economic, environmental & social sustainability Tourism Resource Team Program ©Explore Minnesota Tourism

6. Strengthening tourism through education and research TRT process  Formal application process including a checklist, detail of support, a community team & written narrative  Nominal monetary costs to the community required to demonstrate commitment- Lodging, meeting space, etc.  TRT comprised of five or fewer members based on community needs  Action plan crafted by the coordinator & based on the expert team members’ observations & recommendations  Application process Selection based on criteria  Site visit Team meetings Draft recommendations Respond to input  Report compilation  Final presentation  Monitoring & evaluation Immediate, 3, 6, 12 month  How-to manual online

7. Strengthening tourism through education and research Implementation  International Falls  Issue: Sustainable tourism on the Rainy River  Two Harbors  Issues: Visitor information center, integrated design and coordinated planning to include trail, waterfront and marina  Gunflint Trail  Issue: adapt to the changing environmental conditions in the BWCAW and create realistic visitor expectations

8. Strengthening tourism through education and research

9. Strengthening tourism through education and research News of Gunflint Trail fire could burn resorters by Tim Post, Minnesota Public RadioTim Post May 10, 2007 Photo by Richard Sennott, Star TribuneRichard Sennott Fire losses mount along Gunflint Trail Dave Seaton owns Hungry Jack Outfitters near the Gunflint Trail in northeastern Minnesota. Seaton is concerned dramatic and sometimes sensational stories in the media about the Ham Lake fire will keep some people from vacationing in the Boundary Waters this summer. (MPR Photo/Tim Post) 2007 Gunflint Trail fire rages on Skyscraper-size flames reported By Lew Freedman Chicago Tribune staff reporter Published May 16, 2007

10. Strengthening tourism through education and research Short term Community awareness re consequences of Mass TD Community leader education re sustainability Need for public involvement identified Support for acquisition and development Longer term Collaboration Community dialogue Site acquisition and development Tourism Resource Team Success

11. Strengthening tourism through education and research Lessons learned  Teams Resource team accountability: before they go! Need for engaged community team Evaluation  Community culture Understanding of context & opportunities for change Necessity of engaging broader community  Resource allocation Challenges of local politics Corporate involvement essential

12. Strengthening tourism through education and research Conclusion  Continue implementation in NE region  Additional communities in future  Opportunity for community to engage with University in determining solutions for self-identified issue.  Exploring statewide TRT program

13. Strengthening tourism through education and research Thank you! Cynthia Messer cmesser@umn.edu Tourism Resource Teams: Innovation with & for tourism communities