Tourism Strategy for Freeland

Freeland provides a very healthy and diverse economic base for South Whidbey. Yet, the one industry that Freeland has not directly benefited from is tourism and because we are not a tourist destination, it is hard to promote local tourism dependant businesses. While tourists come to the Freeland area, but our town is not tourist oriented. The Tourism Work Group will address the following issues:

1. What can we do to promote our community more effectively?
2. How do we increase our tourism quotient without becoming another Langley?

Although many of the hotels, inns, B&B’s, and vacation rentals generate most of their revenues from tourists, other businesses are not so lucky. In order to diversify our economic activity and increase the business base we need to change from being a ten-minute stop on an errand list to a place where an individual can spend the day.

1. How do we promote our community as a place to visit?
2. What type of tourist based business do we need to invite that are ecologically friendly?
3. How do we take advantage of our natural beauty?
4. By increasing tourist activities in our area we promote economic diversity