Coming Sunday: An in-depth look at the study’s findings

NATCHEZ &045;&045; New Orleans-based Stu Barash presented his study of Natchez’s tourism marketing efforts Wednesday to more than 100 tourism stakeholders who packed a room at the Convention Center.

Among the findings of the study, which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Council:

4Fund tourism marketing at much higher levels, including funds for a professionally-made advertising campaign.

4Use Natchez’s attractions and strengths to develop events to attract tourists during the current off-seasons.

4Restructure the Convention and Visitors Bureau, clarifying job descriptions while adding staff to be in charge of now-neglected areas of tourism.

Some said the study included many points they already knew and didn’t offer specifics on such areas as funding for marketing. But they added the presentation could be what Natchez needs to get the tourism community working together.

&uot;The strength of Natchez is its people &045;&045; creative, talented people. If there’s a lack of funds, let’s get together and pool our resources,&uot; said bed-and-breakfast owner Regina Charbonneau. &uot;With the people we had here today, we can really make a difference.&uot;

Now, said the Tourism Council’s Rene Adams, &uot;the point is to take this to (city) officials … and say, ‘We’re ready to help.’&uot; The study, she said, can be expanded on in the future to include more specifics about where marketing efforts should go from here. Barash will present the study to aldermen Sept. 28.

Mayor Phillip West said he hopes they’re enthusiastic about the findings. &uot;I like what (Barash) said about trying to market Natchez as a destination 365 days a year,&uot; he said. &uot;I can’t say how we’ll fund it, but if you really want to do something, you’ll find a way to do it.&uot;

Barash’s study also emphasized new ways to do advertising, such as contracting a company to find a new &uot;brand&uot; for Natchez.