DGDC hopes historic walk brings tourists, economic boost
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on April 5, 2009 2:00 AM
After years of planning and design, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. and Chamber of Commerce of Wayne County have published a brochure marking local landmarks along what officials are calling a "Historic Walking Tour."
The jaunt, for those who choose to take it from start to finish, begins at Herman Park and culminates outside historic Union Station.
Officials hope the tour will stimulate tourism -- and by extension the economy -- downtown.
"We have already had several groups that have contacted us," said Betsy Rosemann, director of the Goldsboro-Wayne Travel and Tourism office. "Historic district walking tours are very popular. Just take a look at Wilmington, New Bern -- any of those."
Approximately 10,000 brochures are expected to come off the press sometime in the coming weeks. And once they do, officials plan on stocking them in key rest areas and visitors centers across the state, downtown businesses and government facilities.
The printing costs -- roughly $3,000 -- were covered by the city Goldsboro and her office, an investment Mrs. Rosemann called "excellent."
"We think it will bring people into the area, not only for day trips, but for weekends," she said. "And that should certainly increase tourism downtown."
Currently, the Travel and Tourism office processes between 500 and 1,000 inquires for Goldsboro and Wayne a month, Mrs. Rosemann said.
But bringing more people to the area would certainly be welcomed -- for hotels, restaurants and downtown businesses alike.
Those who would like a copy of the walking tour map can find it at the Chamber and DGDC once the brochures return from the printer.
Mrs. Rosemann expects them to be available by the end of the month.