PIONEER MAID'S SUCCESS BRINGS ITS OWNERS FAME

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993                   TAG: 9304030003
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Short
PIONEER MAID'S SUCCESS BRINGS ITS OWNERS FAME
Howard and Joyce Barrett of Wythe County, who operate a 140-passenger cruise boat on Claytor Lake, gave a presentation last week to the Governor's Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation in Richmond.
During their 90-minute part of the program, the Barretts spoke of what they had learned about preparing business plans, protecting the environment and culture, obtaining support from citizens and local government, dealing with government agencies, financing tourism-related businesses, overcoming obstacles, marketing and relations with state and regional tourism groups.
The success of the Pioneer Maid cruise boat was one of its features of the annual conference last Sunday through Tuesday.
The Barretts operate the boat as part of their New River Cruise Co. Their customers now include companies that book a cruise as part of a bus tour.
The couple in February received the Tourism Industry's Outstanding Achievement Award for developing this new enterprise.
The daily cruise along the New River features authentic Colonial food and local history.
The river trips started last May. The Barretts are getting nearly twice as many advance registrations for the 1993 season as last year, including tour groups from as far as Birmingham, Ala.
Many voyages already are filled. Bookings should be made as far in advance as possible.
The Pioneer Maid is a 60-foot double-decker designed for cruises and sightseeing trips. Howard Barrett is a licensed master mariner, with 20 years in the U.S. Navy.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB