From Deseret News archives:
Utah panel identifying tourism assets
Michael Deaver, chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Economic Ecosystem Task Force, said the group's first phase of work creating an inventory of those assets is a challenge.
"It's been a very daunting task of just compiling the information of what these assets and gems are. We're still in that mode," Deaver told the Utah Legislature's Tourism Task Force on Monday.
Deaver's task force, created by executive order, will identify those gems and later propose strategies to promote, protect and maintain them.
The inventory phase could be completed as early as the fourth quarter of this year. The final phase, calling for management plans, could be ready in early 2007.
"When we say 'protect,' that doesn't necessarily mean 'prohibit,' but it means, 'How do we mitigate tourism in particular areas?' And in some places it may mean, 'How do we stop?' Because there may not be the infrastructure in certain areas (to handle strong tourism)."
Deaver noted that an overriding issue will be how to balance the commercial aspects of the environment with being stewards of that environment.
A few Tourism Task Force members noted that several legislative groups and others have been working on tourism issues and need to be brought into discussions so there is efficient use of activities and, if possible, little duplication of efforts.
"It's so easy to miss some data that's been collected by somebody else without being aware that it's there," said Rep. Peggy Wallace, R-West Jordan, who proposed a summit for various stakeholders.
Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, said she also wants the group to collect statistics on how much outdoor tourists spend in Utah.
Deaver's task force is enlisting the help of county commissioners, municipalities, private industry, academic groups, the state Office of Tourism, national and federal agencies and legislators.
E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com
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