Tournaments benefit local economy

By Tiffiny Woo

Published: July 17, 2008

The goal of tourism in Eufaula is to put “heads in beds.”
That’s why events such as the upcoming Dixie Junior Boys South Regional Tournament are so important to the area.
Eight teams from south Alabama will travel to the Bluff City next weekend to compete for the regional title and a chance to represent Alabama in the World Series.
That’s approximately 120 visitors to Eufaula not counting the numerous family members who will be traveling to cheer on their team, and the economic impact these visitors will have on our local economy is significant.
“They have to eat and sleep,” says Parks and Recreation interim director Wayne Baker. “They’ll also be visiting our local stores, buying commodities such as snacks, Gatorade, sports equipment and even souvenirs. That’s a big boost to our economy.”
The benefits of hosting these tournaments, however, don’t stop after the teams pull out of town. Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce Director of Tourism Corey Kirkland says these events also introduce people to the area.
She says, “Sporting events are not just one-time tourism opportunities, but often visitors who attend swim meets and ball tournaments return to Eufaula at a later date for family vacations.”
Baker says the support and help of the tourism council has played a major role in making these sports tournaments successful.
The tourism council provides funding for tourism events with approval from the tourism oversight committee with the stipulation that the event must bring people into the city and result in an overnight stay. The idea is to put “heads in beds” because the council receives funding from a $2 user fee placed on all hotel rooms in the city.
This fee was established through a city ordinance in 2002, with the money generated used to promote tourism in the area. As a result, the council is restricted in what type of events they can fund because they want to make sure every dollar spent will generate more tourism dollars in the future.
“The tourism council has a strong partnership with the City of Eufaula Parks and Recreation Department,” says Kirkland. “Through this cooperation, tourism marketing dollars are able to be used to help fund sporting events through Parks and Recreation. Like fishing tournaments, these other sporting events result in real dollars for our local economy.”
Baker says the Parks and Recreation Department tries to schedule at least one major tournament per year in addition to smaller, regional tournaments as well.
In the past 10 years, he says, they have hosted five World Series events, six state tournaments and numerous district and sub-district tournaments. These events aren’t limited to just baseball, he says. They often hold softball and basketball tournaments as well as swim meets and other sports tournaments.
The tournament scheduled for July 18-22 will be held at Old Creek Town Park with games beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly. Special morning sessions are also scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of the tournament beginning at 9 a.m.
Tickets are $5 per person and children under five years old get in free. An additional $1 fee will be added to the cost of tickets on the first night of the tournament. Money generated from this fee will be used to fund the Dixie Boys Scholarship program.
When it comes to bidding on tournaments, however, money isn’t always enough. Baker says Eufaula’s own unique aspects have helped land bids for various tournaments.
“When we go to bid, we also emphasize the unique opportunities that Eufaula offers visitors,” says Baker. “Eufaula offers something different for everyone, whether it’s our historical sites, fishing on the lake, water sports or other attractions. We give these teams visiting something more to do than shop at the mall or eat out like they would do at many other places.”
Many communities are feeling the effects of the economic slump plaguing the nation. Kirkland says that Eufaula has not become a victim of this slowed economy in the area of tourism.
“Although the economy as a whole seems to be spiraling downward, tourism in Eufaula seems to be holding its own, if not growing,” she says. “Lodgings tax dollars are up and have been for some time. That is fantastic, especially when you consider that two large hotels are currently closed for renovations.”
Once those facilities start running again, however, Kirkland expects tourism in the area to boom.
The future of Eufaula tourism looks bright as several improvements and additions near completion. Quality Inn and Suites is scheduled to open in the next few months, says Kirkland, and the lodge at Lakepoint Resort State Park should re-open by July 2009. This will not only give guests a great place to rest and play, but will also open doors for tourism.
“The next few years will be very interesting to watch,” says Kirkland.
Eufaula and Barbour County’s unique resources aren’t just incentives for fishing and sporting tournaments to come to town,. These industries draw their own crowd to Eufaula.
“We are in a very unique position in Eufaula as far as tourism,” says Kirkland. “We have a wonderful historic district with two homes that are available to tour year round, as well as the Pilgrimage tour of homes and the Christmas tour of homes. Our self-guided walking and driving tour brochure is very popular and on any given day, you can see visitor’s enjoying the historic district utilizing this tool.”
Fishing and hunting tournaments bring in just as many people who in turn occupy hotel rooms and shop and eat at local businesses. Eufaula’s abundant wildlife and dedication to protecting its natural resources have nurtured a different kind of tourism known as eco-tourism.
“Eco-Tourism is increasingly popular in Eufaula,” says Kirkland. “As the nation’s first Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community, it is good to know that the city is mindful of preserving these natural resources through the Eufaula 2020 plan.”
Barbour County is not just excelling at promoting and preserving its national resources for eco-tourism; the city is also setting the tone for other communities in Alabama.
Other counties throughout Alabama have recognized the value of Barbour County’s Quality Deer Management program, and it has become a model after which these counties are structuring their own management plans. Field and Stream Magazine, a national publication, has recognized Barbour County for its quality public hunting.
“Bird watching is becoming more and more popular,” says Kirkland. “The staff of the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge does a great job directing avid birders to spots throughout the refuge where hundreds of species of birds may be found.”
“Of course, Lake Eufaula is a huge asset, not just for fishing tournaments, but for water sports and quality family time. The Corps of Engineer maintained parks along the banks of Lake Eufaula offer great overnight camping for families as well as areas for day trips and picnics.”