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ALPENA -- Alpena has many natural resources and assets which are critical in drawing tourists to the area. In order to be sure they serve their purpose for visitors and residents, they must be maintained and preserved properly, according one official
The Alpena Convention and Visitors Bureau has been a driving force in promoting Alpena and its attractions and events. It is now in the process of becoming a leader in helping to sustain it. In order to do so preserving and protecting the resources Alpena depends on for tourism is a must.
President Mary Beth Stutzman said over the next year, the CVB will work with other partners to take the next steps in taking Alpena to the next level in tourism without sacrificing what makes it appealing to live in. She said in order to ensure tourism remains steady or grows, taking care of the things that are attractive to tourists remain intact or improved.
"We always have to determine what the next best move is to keep things viable," Stutzman said. "We will be working on connecting the dots between a future Alpena and our activities we have today so we can make sure as we grow we are still the same Alpena, just a better version of it."
Stutzman said there is a fine line between changing the face of the community and its assets for tourists, and still maintaining the characteristics that make residents want to live here. She said she believes a happy medium can be found that will help tourism to continue to prosper, while having little impact on the way of life people expect.
"We have to make sure people want to continue to want to stay living here, but also have the next evolution take place where everyone can benefit," Stutzman said.
Since the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary opened and marketing for Alpena and all that it has to offer was bolster, there has been a significant increase in the number of people who choose Alpena for a vacation. Stuztman said the sanctuary, the dark skies initiative, the lakes and rivers, fishing, biking and many other activities centered on our natural resources are a few of the reasons people pick Alpena to visit. She said despite the tourism growth, Alpena cannot rest on its accomplishments and needs to continue to move forward.
"It is easy when you are reaching your goals and seeing success to just sit back and let your foot off the pedal," Stutzman said. "We aren't satisfied with that here at the CVB. We want to make sure we move ahead, but also in a responsible manner."
Whenever more work or responsibility is added, there is usually a cost associated with them. Stutzman said the CVB has a tight budget, but will do its best to pick and choose where investment in tourism will get the largest return. She said as more people come to Alpena and stay in hotels, the more money the CVB will have to work with to meet its overall goals.
"In proportion for the number of assets we are responsible for promoting, our budget is very small," Stutzman said. "We invest in opportunity that give us the biggest return on investment. Moving into this next lifecycle we will be looking to ease into it and grow as our budget grows."
An assessment fee is charged to every customer who stays at a hotel in Alpena and the money is captured by the CVB for its initiatives and promotion, which should bring more people to the area and more overnight stays, Stutzman said.
"The more people we have staying in our hotels the more money we will have to fulfill our mission," she said. "Our goal is to continue to grow ourselves in a sustainable fashion, but also making sure all the puzzle pieces fit together so we don't drastically change the way of life people have living here."
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.