City leaders identify tourism/entertainment as a key component in the development and well-being of their communities. In a survey of 463 cities, conducted by the National League of Cities, 46 percent of respondents ranked tourism/entertainment among their top three important economic sectors.
The results of the survey, published by NLC as “Tourism and Entertainment as a Local Economic Development Strategy,” show that most respondents (96 percent) have cultivated a variety of attractions in their cities. More than half report that their communities contain historic districts or sites, museums, farmers' markets, performing arts centers, entertainment/restaurant districts and festival/retail malls.
Respondents indicate that performing arts centers, nature preserves and entertainment/restaurant districts are particularly valuable for enhancing quality of life. They rate sports facilities and convention centers as the top draws for attracting visitors, and they give convention centers and festival/retail malls high marks as economic assets.
The NLC publication includes data on the prevalence of tourism/entertainment facilities as well as events. It also presents information on:
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tourism and entertainment as contributors to the overall performance of local economies;
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negative consequences of tourism and entertainment; and
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the role of local government officials in tourism and entertainment initiatives.
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To order the report, call the NLC Publications Center at (888) 571-2939; fax (301) 206-9789; or e-mail nlcbooks@pmds.com. The cost is $10 ($5 for NLC members), plus shipping and handling.
