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Highlands Today

Tourism Survey To Be Conducted

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Visitors from outside of Highlands County who attend next month's Run to the Heartland will receive this tote bag if they answer questions on a tourism survey.

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: September 21, 2008

SEBRING - Highlands County tourism officials want to learn more about the people who travel here, and they have put together a 15-question survey to help them get the information.

The Highlands County Visitor and Convention and Bureau will be setting up a booth on the Circle at the Run to the Heartland in October. Out-of-town visitors will be asked to complete the survey. In exchange for their time, survey takers will receive a tote bag - either green or navy - that includes a bandanna, hand fan, cup holder and brochures.

The questions include what did you like the most about your visit to Highlands County, approximately how much did you spend on your visit, how many days do you plan to be in the county and what type of lodging did you use?

They will also be asked what did they like or dislike about their visit to the county and to rate their visit to Highlands - on a five-point scale with 5 excellent, 3 average and 1 poor.

Those who take the survey will not have to give their name, street address or Web address. They will be asked to provide their age, home zip code, occupation and educational level. They will also be asked which category is closest to their total family income that will range from less than $20,000 to $140,000 plus.

"The TDC (Tourist Development Council) wants to know what people are thinking," said

John Scherlacher, the county's tourism director.

Scherlacher added that the council is interested in knowing if Run to the Heartland attendees will be doing anything else during their visit to the county.

The Run to the Heartland is an event for motorcycle enthusiasts. It has received tourist tax money from the council.

Scherlacher said the survey might be used during other events whose organizers request tourist tax money.

Schlerlacher attended a class on how to take an effective survey during the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College earlier this summer at Georgia State University.

The class was taught by Judy Randall of Randall Travel Marketing. Randall's company did a comprehensive tourism research study on Highlands County a few years ago.

Bill Rogers may be reached at 386-5825 or wrogers@highlandstoday.com

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