Friday, May 25, 2012
2012 Best Research Paper Award
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Report on Tourism in The Pee Dee Just Released
The Center has just completed a study that looked at the rural Pee Dee region of
South Carolina and its potential to capitalize on the thousands of drive
tourists that come through every year on their way to coastal destinations.
Interviews and focus groups of tourism industry stakeholders and two consumer surveys
were conducted for data collection. Results revealed major constraints to
tourism development in the Pee Dee including the lack of a clear brand, poor
accessibility, limited cooperation between regions in Pee Dee, lack of
cooperation between Pee Dee and the coastal regions, limited infrastructure and
tourism product, very poor signage, and limited marketing funds. But
opportunities for tourism development in this rural area as a drive tourism
destination were also recognized, such as the unique historic and nature-based
attractions. Culinary tourism and festivals and events are also likely to
attract drive tourists to the Pee Dee, and potential tourists would be
interested in natural beauty scenic drives as an alternative way of reaching
the coast.
Based on
the results, a number of recommendations have been made in the report for
growing tourism in the Pee Dee. The full report can be downloaded at:
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