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The
Plan - Campaign Eight: Tourism Destination |
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Policy:
It is the policy of our city to promote recognition
of our city and region as a tourism destination that
embraces a broad range of "four-season tourist attractions
centered on our unique waterfront resources, recognizing
especially the centrality of the Genesee River to the
life of our community, along with arts, cultural, sports
and entertainment facilities as well as our reputation
as a supportive and innovative community, in a way that
contributes to our community's local and national image
as well as its economic vitality and growth. |
GOALS |
STRATEGIES |
| (A) Encourage
sporting events and venues, special festivals,
events, celebrations and conventions that help
to bring visitors into our city and create an image
and "sense of place" that is locally,
regionally and nationally recognized. |
1. Provide community support
for the World Canal Conference 2000 to be held in September
in the Rochester area. The Conference is international
in scope having delegates and attendees from Europe and
other locations, thereby providing an opportunity to highlight
and market Rochester internationally.
2. Develop community-wide, winter activities/carnivals
during January, February and March focusing on existing
arts and cultural events and involving neighborhood and
downtown activities.
3. Organize an annual adult softball tournament to draw
players from other states.
4. Actively recruit an indoor football team for Blue Cross
Arena at the War Memorial.
5. Improve the coordination and promotion of local sporting
events by hiring a full-time person to head Monroe County
Sports Commission.
6. Promote the City of Rochester through nationally televised
events (LPGA, 2003 PGA Championship, Lilac City Bowling
Tournament, AHL All-star Game, AAA Baseball All-star game).
7. Develop single-night stays for camping on the beach/park.
8. Develop a means to market and promote Lake Ontario
as a sport fishing destination.
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(B) Encourage and help create
appropriate private, market-driven investments in the
local tourism industry that result in additional revenue
for businesses and the creation of new jobs for local
residents.
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1. Establish policy/priority
regarding support for tourism activities and developments.
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| (C) Transform our extensive
and unique waterfront resources, historic and cultural
assets into a regional tourism destination attraction
that maximizes economic, environmental and recreational
benefits in a way that enhances the quality of life for
city residents. |
1. Hold
a Developer's Symposium at the Port of Rochester
with the goal of developing a "Harbor town: theme
at the area from River Street/Stutson St. Bridge
to Beach Avenue.
2. Determine the feasibility of white water course on
the east side of Genesee River near downtown and Corn
Hill Landing.
3. Support the development of a Rochester Rowing Center
at the Genesee Valley Park and promote rowing events.
4. Enhance the appearance of River features along the
Genesee River in Center City Rochester.
5. Establish fast ferry service between Rochester and
Toronto, and develop the Port of Rochester to accommodate
the fast ferry service.
6. Develop the Erie Canal in terms of its "on-water" and
"off-water" usage and heighten awareness of the Canal
as a tourism destination point and historical site.
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| (D) To develop, protect and
promote our parks, recreation and open space system as
a prime four season regional tourism attraction and asset
that is complementary to our diverse waterfront resources.
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1. As a part of the development
of Ontario Beach Park, the restoration of the Roger Robach
Community Center would significantly enhance the attractiveness
of the park and expand its use by the public.
2. Implementation of the improvements recommended by the
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers water quality study will result
in a significant increase of Ontario Beach Park for recreational
use, and the minimization of beach closures.
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(E) Promote the creation of
a diverse transportation system that connects our many
tourism attractions and resources and positively contributes
to the physical, social and economic well-being of our
citizens, visitors and community.
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1. Develop a comprehensive
shuttle system to include festivals (Lilac, Corn Hill,
etc.) Entertainment Districts (Existing EZ Rider,) , and
major events (LPGA, PGA)
2. Implement a regular shuttle system from off-site parking
areas to the Port of Rochester. |
( F) Develop diverse, unique
tourism attractions that balance economic issues and impacts
with neighborhood preservation, enhancement and protection.
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1. Develop a comprehensive
shuttle system to include festivals (Lilac, Corn Hill,
etc.) Entertainment Districts (Existing EZ Rider,) , and
major events (LPGA, PGA)
2. Implement a regular shuttle system from off-site parking
areas to the Port of Rochester.
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(G) Capitalize on our many
recreational, historic, civic and business assets as well
as our high quality of life to expand recognition of Rochester
as a highly desirable tourism destination and attractive
place to liive.
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1. Develop an ongoing, high
profile, consistent marketing and promotion campaign for
Greater Rochester area with a new and unique theme increasing
Rochester's visibility and ease of recognition.
2. Develop a coordinated, planned marketing strategy
around Rochester as a hot bed of freedom-such as a "Human Rights/Freedom
Trail" connecting significant historic elements - women's
rights, the underground railroad, Frederick Douglass
Museum, Susan B. Anthony sites, Mt. Hope Cemetery, etc.
3. Restore and initiate tours of commercial and industrial
facilities in Rochester (e.g. Kodak, Bausch and Lomb,
Genesee Brewery, Xerox, Gleason Works) similar to other
cities such as the Crayola Crayon tour in Hershey, PA
or Coors Brewing tour in Golden, CO.
4. Expand and build on the Rochester's annual Time Warner
Music Fest as an attraction and event/destination.
5. Create a "Rochester Store" exhibiting and selling
articles identified with Rochester to residents and tourists
alike.
6. Establish a performing Arts Center in Center City Rochester
to enhance Rochester's reputation and strength as a tourist
destination for the Fine and Performing Arts.
7. Develop marketing plan to attract cruise ships to Rochester
that currently travel to Great Lake destinations and would
draw from outside the region.
8. Collaborate with regional elected officials and tourism
organizations in development and marketing of tourism
resources, attractions and signage.
9. Develop a joint and coordinated marketing strategy
and a "one stop" price ticket between area cultural institutions.
10. Conduct a marketing effort aimed at local citizens
to "sell" them on the positive community assets so they
become sales people for the area themselves.
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