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Every community has different development policies and goals. Some communities are deeply tied to one industry or activity. For many years this was Dover as a mill town. These days diversity is a mainstay. Most communities try not to be tied to one sector or another but look to multiple areas for vibrancy.
That said, that balance varies. We can look around and see how other communities have made that decision, with some having deep ties to tourism while others do not. Dover has some tourism aspects, mainly, but not just the Woodman Museum and Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.
Over the past weekend, I experienced a few different Florida communities while enjoying some spring baseball. It’s interesting to see how quite a few communities build vibrancy around their baseball team, while others don't as much. The communities that lean into it have signs all over the community of their adopted ballclub – literal and illustrative signs. Fort Myers is an example of this. You can’t miss the integration of the Red Sox and Twins teams that both play there. The flip side is Bradenton where the Pirates play. The field exists in a commercial area, but the area around it is no different than when I first saw it in 2005. When you leave Bradenton's Lecom Park, you’d barely know the Pirates are in town for two months. No banners, no signs, no bar scene, or encouragement for fans to stay in town after a game and engage in commerce.
Like I said, it's interesting. A lot has to go right for a tourism-based economy to work. Tourism-based economies rely heavily on the influx of visitors to sustain economic growth and development. These economies often center their industries, infrastructure, and services around catering to tourists' needs and desires. The revenue generated from tourism activities supports local businesses, enhances infrastructure, and fosters cultural preservation and exchange.
One key advantage of tourism-based economies is their potential for rapid economic growth and diversification. Tourism stimulates investment in hospitality, transportation, entertainment and other related industries, creating a multiplier effect that generates income and employment opportunities. Additionally, it encourages the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as communities strive to maintain the attractions that draw tourists.
However, tourism-based economies face challenges: seasonality, dependency on external factors like exchange rates and global events, and environmental degradation are a few examples. Overreliance on tourism can make these economies vulnerable to fluctuations, as seen during economic downturns or crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, unchecked tourism development can strain local resources, degrade ecosystems, and erode cultural authenticity. Thus, sustainable tourism practices that prioritize environmental conservation, community engagement, and equitable distribution of benefits are crucial for the long-term viability of tourism-based economies.
Overall, while tourism offers significant economic opportunities, careful planning and management are essential to ensure its benefits are shared equitably and its impacts are mitigated responsibly. These are the discussions that will be considered during our Master Plan development.
My goal today isn’t to say Dover should embrace more tourism or that we’ve embraced too much. My goal with this was to get some ideas down for you after experiencing a rite of spring for me. Do I need to buy that Red Sox t-shirt in Florida or not?
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