THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506080426
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER CHRISTMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
After years of telling the world about the beauty of the Outer Banks, Gene O'Bleness will have time to experience it.
The executive director of the Dare County Tourist Bureau will retire April 1 at age 65.
``It's time to relax and enjoy all the area has to offer,'' O'Bleness said Wednesday, adding that he plans to dabble in golf, collector cars and travel.
O'Bleness became manager of the tourist bureau in 1988. In 1992 he became the first to serve as executive director of the organization after a legislative act created the Dare County Tourism Board - the governing body of the tourist bureau.
Before O'Bleness began promoting the region, he wrote about it. In 1983, O'Bleness became a one-man Outer Banks bureau for The Virginian-Pilot. He covered events and sent his stories to Norfolk by computer from his Nags Head home.
``I was one of the fortunate people on the cutting-edge of technology,'' he said.
In 1987, after the newspaper had established an official Outer Banks bureau, O'Bleness decided to move on.
``I had been a journalist for 25 years, and I felt - as many journalists do - things were changing,'' he said. ``I felt a career change was in order.''
Directing the tourist bureau, O'Bleness said, was the perfect transition.
``This combined all of the elements,'' he said. ``It allowed me to continue writing, and it allowed me to represent the community. It was an ideal marriage, one that I've enjoyed tremendously.''
The tourist bureau has grown noticeably during O'Bleness' tenure.
Visitor inquiries to the tourist bureau have increased from 5,000 in 1991 to 170,000 in 1994.
The area's tourism-based economy has increased from more than $400 million in 1988 to $625 million in 1994. The bureau's budget also has climbed, from $180,000 in 1990 to the current $2.5 million.
But it's not so much the numbers as it is the community spirit that delights O'Bleness.
``One thing that has impressed me the most is the desire of the community to retain its family atmosphere and connection with history,'' he said. ``It's a place where people feel proud to live and tourists want to visit.''
O'Bleness said he hopes the Outer Banks will retain a ``tasteful'' approach to development, and avoid overbuilding.
``What we have now is not a pell-mell development pace in which they're throwing up high-rises,'' he said.
``One of the things we like to say is that the sun does not go down on the Outer Banks at 2 p.m. like it does with some of the resort areas with high-rises we compete with.''
Rebecca Moore, tourism and marketing director for the bureau, said O'Bleness will be missed.
``He's a great guy to work with,''Moore said, citing O'Bleness' calm temperament as one of his finest attributes. ``I always know Gene will come into the office with a smile on his face.''
Moore also called O'Bleness a leader with a vision: ``In addition to the day-to-day work, he has sight of the future.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Gene O'Bleness
by CNB