Study: Mitchell should develop Indian-themed experiences
Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2008
MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) -- A survey by Black Hills State University's Center for Tourism Research recommends tourism promoters in Mitchell work with the Prehistoric Indian Village and capitalize on tourists' desires for Indian-themed experiences.
"We believe that because you have a Native American history attraction as it stands right now, you have a key to the future," Chris Coolidge, one of two presenters, told the Mitchell City Council Monday night.
Mitchell is the home of a prehistoric Indian village archaeological site.
Such attractions and activities could increase Mitchell's summer tourist traffic, the study indicated. Visitors to attractions and hotels were asked to take part in last summer's survey, which cost just over $19,000.
Indian activities was the most popular category survey respondents identified as their preferred type of events and festivals. Just under 17 percent of motel visitors and 18.6 percent of attractions visitors requested Indian events and activities on the survey.
Respondents were, on average, highly educated people in their 50s who traveled without children and reported incomes between $50,000 and $75,000. Such people are looking for cultural and educational travel experiences and locally made products, the presenters said.
The council was told that it might be wise to target marketing to the Chicago area -- perhaps with Indian-themed activities as a centerpiece.
"This is a hot topic for urban people," Coolidge said. "They don't live with Sioux Indians every day like we do, and so for them it's curiosity. So take advantage of that. Create packages with Native American attractions."
The survey also found that many respondents complained about a lack of activities after 5 p.m. Coolidge said that 70 percent of all tourist money is spent after 5 p.m.
Many respondents viewed Mitchell as a gateway, so a campaign that brands the city as a gateway to the West might be in order, the presenters said.
They also said brochures listing 10 things to do in Mitchell could encourage people to spend more time in the city.
When motel visitors were asked why they stopped in Mitchell, the highest percentage, 21.8 percent, said it was because they were "tired."
On the Net: www.mitchellindianvillage.org/
"We believe that because you have a Native American history attraction as it stands right now, you have a key to the future," Chris Coolidge, one of two presenters, told the Mitchell City Council Monday night.
Mitchell is the home of a prehistoric Indian village archaeological site.
Such attractions and activities could increase Mitchell's summer tourist traffic, the study indicated. Visitors to attractions and hotels were asked to take part in last summer's survey, which cost just over $19,000.
Indian activities was the most popular category survey respondents identified as their preferred type of events and festivals. Just under 17 percent of motel visitors and 18.6 percent of attractions visitors requested Indian events and activities on the survey.
Respondents were, on average, highly educated people in their 50s who traveled without children and reported incomes between $50,000 and $75,000. Such people are looking for cultural and educational travel experiences and locally made products, the presenters said.
The council was told that it might be wise to target marketing to the Chicago area -- perhaps with Indian-themed activities as a centerpiece.
"This is a hot topic for urban people," Coolidge said. "They don't live with Sioux Indians every day like we do, and so for them it's curiosity. So take advantage of that. Create packages with Native American attractions."
The survey also found that many respondents complained about a lack of activities after 5 p.m. Coolidge said that 70 percent of all tourist money is spent after 5 p.m.
Many respondents viewed Mitchell as a gateway, so a campaign that brands the city as a gateway to the West might be in order, the presenters said.
They also said brochures listing 10 things to do in Mitchell could encourage people to spend more time in the city.
When motel visitors were asked why they stopped in Mitchell, the highest percentage, 21.8 percent, said it was because they were "tired."
On the Net: www.mitchellindianvillage.org/
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