As part of a community project in Norfolk/U/420/Userfiles/Blog/56TOPTRENDSAFFECTINGNORFOLK.pdf">56 TOP TRENDS AFFECTING NORFOLK'S FUTURE, Comments from Forecasting International By Dr. Marvin J. Cetron, President, Forecasting International, September 2006
10. Tourism and international travel will increase significantly, with tourists getting their travel information directly over the Internet. Category: TOURISM
1 (Low) - Nebraska is essentially a source of tourism, not a destination for tourists. Thus this trend, though strong and continuing, will have little significance for Norfolk. This could change if the area develops a theme park. In that case, the growth of tourism will become a 4 (High), both because this trend will produce new opportunities for the local economy and because long-distance vacationing will compete with regional attractions for business.
We see five primary theme-park opportunities for Norfolk:
- An "old Nebraska" theme based on the region's history
- An EPCOT approach, with attractions and foods from exotic foreign cultures;
- A theme based on family life and, perhaps, Biblical stories, with marriage chapels as special attractions (providing not only the service itself, but such ancillaries as rental gowns and formal wear, photographs and videos, and bridal parties);
- High-tech rides;
- And attractions based on movie and video-game tie-ins, such as a park based on the Harry Potter books and movies.
Each of these offers special opportunities and challenges, which will require careful examination before a commitment is made. This is a family environment. It should be non-smoking, non-drinking, with video games and picnic tables, for parents and grandparents taking their children or grandchildren for a day's outing.
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Fla. The Fields of ExcellenceA very good example and implemenation of recreation resources.
American School & University NewsBibliography of Economic Impacts of Parks, Recreation and TourismRecreation, Park & Tourism Management Reference ResourcesReferences to commercial products and servicesNatural Resources Recreation Reference ResourcesFinancing and Acquiring Park and Recreation ResourcesJournal of Leisure ResearchNational Park and Recreation AssociationThe Future of Theme Parks in International Tourism