PUT TOURISM DOLLARS IN DEVELOPING SITES

Tourism generates millions of dollars for Missouri. Cape Girardeau's Convention and Visitors Bureau, in concert with local chambers of commerce and nearby communities has worked to build the share of local tourism dollars.

A new CVB director has come on board. Now the CVB Advisory Board's chairman has suggested expanding the staff to include a full-time tourism development director. Under this proposal, the new tourism director would work directly with potential tourists and with local businesses to develop tourist attractions.

Building tourist attractions is a wonderful idea, but the thought that one person could make such a difference raises many questions.

And then there's the matter of money. The proposal, made recently by Gary Bunting, suggests that additional revenue could come from expansion of the hotel-motel-restaurant tax.

The CVB board isn't the only group eying the tax for additional revenue. Southeast Missouri State University is also studying the motel-hotel tax as a way to fund development of the planned River Campus at the former St. Vincent's Seminary.

Bunting's proposal points out that the CVB has marketed the city well, but once visitors arrive here they have little to see or do. If that's the case, perhaps dollars would better be spent on developing an appealing tourist attraction such as a Mississippi River interpretive center. Perhaps such a center could be developed as part of the River Campus. With a river center, the breathtaking view of the Mississippi River at the River Campus could become a viable tourist attraction. This focus on the river could be part of the university's curriculum as well.

Or the city or chamber could take the lead with such a center. It could be anchored in downtown Cape Girardeau. The former Buckner-Ragsdale building is another possibility. Community and business development in such a center would be essential.

Before the CVB branches out with new employees, the city should take a hard look at its tourism budget. Dollars should be put where there is a compelling need and the most opportunity for return.

There is little doubt that Cape Girardeau's river door is a big draw for tourists. Local tourism officials would be wise to build on such an attraction.