Regional Tourism Roundtable Meets in Lavonia

Local leaders from three counties are working together to come up with ideas and ways to attract more tourism to our region.

Franklin, Hart, and Stephens County leadership sat down Tuesday for the third meeting of the Regional Tourism Roundtable at the Lavonia train depot.

Two previous meetings were held last August and November.

Hosted by Archway Partnership, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tonya Powers says the goal is to develop and implement programs and events designed to attract more tourism to the tri-county area in which there is something for everyone besides boating and fishing.

“We’re working with our IBA, Tourism, Chamber just a huge collaboration from the three counties, she said. “Each County will individually have efforts they’ll put out there. What we’re wanting to do is to guide people to this region.”

The February meeting Tuesday included discussing and updating three basic areas of tourism developed by the three Counties as top priorities.

Those include agritourism, arts/film, and ecotourism.

Under Agritourism ideas discussed included working with the Georgia Grown program to establish a Georgia Grown trail along Highway 17.

Under Arts and Film, ideas include developing an Arts Trail and establishing an annual Arts/Film Festival.

Another topic discussed Tuesday was a new branding for the Lake Hartwell Region that doesn’t include boating and fishing.

Powers saId the counties will now nail down specific action plans that can be implemented to bring about an increase in tourism to the region.