THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 19, 1996 TAG: 9601170097
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Ida Kay's Portsmouth
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
Portsmouth's income from tourism rose from $29 million in 1991 to $37.8 million in 1995.
That upward direction of the city's tourist business is not accidental, Keith Toler, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, told a joint meeting of Northside civic leagues Tuesday night.
His office is always looking for a different way to promote the city's assets, Toler said.
For instance, visitor interest in Olde Towne is tremendous.
``We found a niche market there,'' Toler said.
And, if you don't believe the city's worked that one over, just look at the ways you can see the historic downtown area:
Pineapple and Portico Tours
Olde Towne Lantern Tours
Afro-American Heritage Tours
Trolley tours
Horse-drawn carriage tours
Self-guided walking tour
``We try to package it a new way all the time,'' Toler said.
Visitors, he said, like the ``quaint village atmosphere'' of Portsmouth.
``It's not the sprawling oceanfront of Virginia Beach or the bustling urban atmosphere in Norfolk,'' he said. ``Portsmouth is unique, and people like it.''
Now we just need to figure out more ways to get them here. And we need to get them beyond the immediate Downtown area.
Willett Hall will evolve into a greater visitor attraction when we find the niche for it. The programs at Willett have been chosen to attract as many people as possible to the city while, at the same time, offering residents entertainment in their own backyard.
Willett was taken over by Ports Events on contract with the city this year. No doubt, it will take a couple of years for Linda Lamm and her staff at Ports Events to find exactly the right niche for the city auditorium.
One of the problems since Ebby Bell left as head of the booking operation has been a lack of consistency in the management, which translated into a lack of vision - and a small audience. The arrangement with Ports Events should change that.
Ports Events also plans to turn its successful, annual pre-Christmas art show at Trinity Parish House into an event to emphasize art in the Downtown area. Lamm said she anticipates having an ``art corner'' weekend with special events simultaneously at the Portsmouth Museums' 1846 Courthouse galleries, the Tidewater Community College Visual Arts Center and the Olde Towne Gallery on the fourth corner of the intersection of High and Court streets.
Meanwhile, Toler is enthusiastic about Portsmouth's participation in a national promotion called ``Kid's Corner.'' The travel package includes hotel rooms and tickets for a number of regional attractions, including the Children's Museum.
Toler said last year's returns on that project were very good for Portsmouth, and he anticipates increased response this year.
All these projects seem to be going in the right direction.
However, one thing still is missing. That's a way to attract more of the 12,000 boaters who pass by our front door every year. Toler said he, too, wants to work on that group of potential tourists.
Since history and art have become our big drawing card, it would seem we could find some way to entice boaters to our shores for one or both reasons.
Even boaters not overtly interested in history probably would be interested in the history of Portsmouth as it relates to the Elizabeth River on which they regularly travel north and south.
Portsmouth has a rich tradition of naval history, which does not have to be reiterated here for Portsmouth readers. Most locals take it for granted, but things like the nation's first drydock, still in use, and the original building of the first naval hospital have got to look intriguing from the water.
Portsmouth's history definitely relates to the water, and certainly boat travelers relate to water.
And what better diversion on a long trip than learning more about the areas you are passing. Maybe with a little knowledge of Portsmouth, they also would think in terms of spending the night - and spending some money.
Toler said the development of more marinas and other related activities on Scotts Creek, near the Thomas family's existing facility, plus more new projects on the shores of Northside, could open up another wonderful attraction.
He said his vision for Scotts Creek includes a water taxi service, which not only would move visitors around Portsmouth's waterfront, but it would also attract people who want a ride from the Naval Hospital to Norfolk or from Park View to the Chrysler Museum.
A water taxi service would give Portsmouth one more attraction for tourists.
``We have got to have it,'' Toler said. ``The development of Scotts Creek may just be the thing to get it.'' by CNB