Tourism as an Economic Development Tool (Guadalupe County)

Under the origainal REDTT program Guadalupe county was able to demonstrate how to go about establishing Rural EConmic Development . Fopr the last four years we have encouraged several local ranchers and businessmen how to develop programs to encourage tourism . When we started we tried several types of tourism ventures all of them were short term ventures . But the idea began to take shape and last yearCurt and Kearen Kelling began with a program partly by accident and partly by design that they uitilized the REDTT model to get a tourism program started . This is the second year wher the ranch family has hosted Norwegians moterocylcle riders on their ranch for a noon meal. The idea has developed in to a full time summer business. Last year they hhosted 8 groups with 35 riders each time . This year has been much bigger with 27 groups and 35 to 40 motor cycle riders. In talking to Curt they feel that they truly have hit on a good thing with these motorcyclist . They provide them with a noonmeal and then they are off. This has be come a full time business and they are establishing more of these types of stops in and around Santa Rosa for other indivdiduals to take advantage of the tourism trade with Norwegians. The future looks good to have an overnight stay next year with a bed and breakfast type program .

With Guadalupe County right on route 66 and with the large numbers of tourist that visit route 66 it is only natural that we should utilize the tourist attraction for more economic develoment . This past year was an excepitional year . Our REDTT program under the direction Of the Cuervo REDTT Group were able to establish contact with a group of Norwegians that come thru our county each year. These group traditionally ride motorcycles and tour our area as they travel to Los Angels, our travel to Chicago This year 8 groups visited the Curt Kelling Ranch The Kelling group were able to take advatange of the chance to provide lunch at a cost for the groups . Their were approximately 30 to 36 riders each time and they brought in an additional 7000 dollars to the Kelling ranch . This extra generated income as well as the future contacts for next year will provide more opportunity for all the county to expound on tourim from the norwegain tours

Eugenio Lujan has signed on to support Tourism as an Economic Development Tool within Guadalupe County.