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Local tourism gets boost from pink birds
A flock of flamingos, which have been visiting different houses in Fort Scott this summer, is doing its part to help the local economy.
The flamingos are participating in the Flamingo Frenzy FUN-raiser, which is a program created to raise funds that will be used to promote tourism of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Katie Casper said.
Since tourism can directly affect the local economy, the Chamber of Commerce's FUN-raiser, which will be conducted until Labor Day, could positively impact local resources, according to statistical information provided by Casper.
"A study that was performed for the Kansas Department of Commerce showed that in 2004 the economic development impact of tourism on Fort Scott was $1.2 million," Casper said.
A tourist, as defined in the study, is a person who stays in a community overnight, Casper said. Adding that $6.9 million of the amount shown in the study was spent on accommodations or hotel stays.
According to the University of Minnesota, www.tourism.umn.edu, the economic impact of tourism on a community is vast.
"The total economic impact of tourism is more than just the dollars a visitor spends in a community," the University of Minnesota Web site said. "Tourism contributes to sales, income, jobs, and tax revenues. Tourists spend money on a variety of things in a community--lodging, attractions, food and other services--creating a direct effect on the businesses and economy in the form of income that pays wages and taxes. The tourism businesses in turn are buyers of goods and services required to meet the needs of the visitors, and the direct tourism business receipts are then spent on investments or purchase of goods and services. This spending by tourism businesses as a result of increased tourist visits creates indirect effects by contributing to wages and employment in other local businesses that supply the goods and services to the tourism business," the UM information said.
According to Casper, area residents can call the Chamber at (620) 223-3566 to request that the yard of a family member, friend or boss be flocked with the Flamingos. The cost to flock someone's yard is $10. Those who have been flocked can pay $10 to have the flock removed from their yards. However, should someone in the community not want the Flamingos to gather in his or her yard, Casper said Flamingo insurance is available for $10. This insurance will keep the birds from congregating in that person's yard.