Extension hosts nature-based tourism workshop in Lewistown

Natural attractions are the No. 1 reason that tourists choose to visit

Montana, according to Dave Sharpe, leader of Montana State University Extension’s community development program.

By MSU News Service Bozeman Chronicle

And where there is a demand to travel to remote areas, enjoy wide-open spaces and photograph wildlife, Montana entrepreneurs, landowners and communities stand to gain, he says.

Sharpe will lead a half-day workshop on nature-based tourism business

opportunities, and the size and types of market they draw, in Lewistown, Oct. 1. Included will be a panel of nature tourism entrepreneurs and representatives from land management agencies.

"This is an opportunity for people who are thinking about going into a nature-based tourism business to learn from the experience of others who are in the business and see whether or not their idea can actually fly," he said.

Sharpe and other Extension specialists have examined nature-tourism businesses throughout a nine-state region and analyzed factors that made them succeed or fail.

Their next step is to meet with local people interested in starting such businesses and help them predict whether or not they could be profitable.

Part of the workshop in Lewistown will be devoted to helping attendees analyze the feasibility of their business idea. In addition, the land management agency representatives will discuss the permitting necessary for operations that use U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands.

The afternoon workshop costs $25 and registration ends Sept. 15. For more information, call 994-2962.

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2003/08/30/news/tourismbzbigs.txt