How Visioning and Tourism Planning Interact: A Case Study of Micanopy, Florida

	Speakers:
	Lori Pennington-Gray Assistant Professor (Ph.D.), Center for Tourism Research and Development Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism University of Florida		Brijesh Thapa Assistant Professor (Ph.D.)
	Jung-Eun Kim Ph.D. Student
	Description: Learning Objectives: To educate the audience on the benefits of a visioning process for tourism To present the case of Micanopy and the interaction of visioning and planning The goals and strategies of tourism development must reflect or incorporate host's views to ensure community consensus on development policies and programs. If resident's perceptions and preferences do not support tourism development policies and programs, then programs are likely to fail or be ineffective after their implementation (Pearce, 1980). If government employees and decision makers are in disagreement with the public and business community regarding the type and extent of tourism development, then it is unlikely that politicians will be re-elected. For successful development of tourism, an understanding of host perceptions is vital and paramount in small communities. Micanopy is the site of an ancient Seminole Indian village of Cuscowilla, and is one of the oldest American settlements in North Central Florida, which ultimately became a United States territory in 1821. It was first called Wanton's after the first white trader. Later it was called Micanopy's Town after Chief Micanopy, the principal chief of the Seminoles. During the second Seminole War (1835-42) fighting erupted between the Americans and the Indians. As a result, the fort burned down. It was rebuilt in 1837 and called Fort Micanopy. Eventually, the town was simply called Micanopy. The town was a trading center for cotton planters, citrus and vegetable growers and has a rich heritage (Smyth, 2001). Utilizing its cultural heritage, currently Micanopy has sought tourism for economic development and has received seed money for its campaign from the Alachua County Visitor Convention Bureau. Reallocation of the Bureau's budget allowed for a new focus on "small towns." Each small town was designated $5000 for tourism development and/or promotion. The first question was "how will the $5000 be used to promote Micanopy as a tourism destination?" The second question was "did the community use the money in the vision of the town?" Therefore, the purpose of this presentation is to discuss the role of the tourism visioning process and how it relates to the planning process for tourism in a small, rural community in North Central Florida. Delivery Methods: Methods will include slide show of the town, Presentation of the history of the town, Presentation of the case of visioning process for Micanopy, Presentation of the case related to planning for tourism in the town of Micanopy