I thoroughly enjoyed reading your recent story by Peter Zheutlin called “The Wanderer.” Plymouth’s tourism district has indeed become a magnet for bringing both visitors and locals to enjoy its eclectic feel and trendy restaurants and shops. The tourism industry brings beauty and infrastructure to the places it resides. Can you imagine any other business that gives locals a walkable beautiful oasis to enjoy, paid for by out-of-towners who visit?
Thanks goes to Plymouth town government officials that understand the importance of an industry that satisfies the culture and relaxation needed by every living human being and develops the place to also bring profit to its populace. We have managed to attract top-flight restaurants, mom-and-pop as well as anchor stores, amazing attractions that share a unique history, and a waterfront in a walkable, beautiful, and peaceful environment with a sum total of making tourism the #1 industry in the town.
Bringing visitors doesn’t happen by accident. The town has contracted See Plymouth to promote the destination. Measuring how that is done is a science that shows how to do that responsibly. That means thinking of ways to solve challenges with a growing industry like partnering with Park Plymouth for its Ride Circuit service, bringing more visitors in with American Cruise Lines with passengers who walk the area with no cars to park, and often come back as repeat visitors. It means investing heavily in television coverage of its annual Thanksgiving parade to bring it to audiences all over America. Without a supportive town and the ability to get grants, Plymouth would not be blessed with these amenities.
Tourism is seasonal in Plymouth, which means it is usually busiest in the summer and on weekends. That means Monday through Thursday, our locals can enjoy all the amenities that have been created to attract visitors, while the visitors they share the town with on weekends pay for it. While some point out that the jobs are mostly low-paying ones, if you factor in all the owners, managers, and supervisors, it actually means there are jobs available for all sectors of the community from lower minimum wage jobs to six-figure salaries.
If you are a local and are not taking advantage of the benefits afforded to our citizens in Plymouth, it’s time to visit the tourism areas and enjoy a privilege that the tourism industry brings to our community. Locals are tourists too.
– Lea Filson
Filson is president and CEO of the tourism organization See Plymouth.