Jay Markwalter, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus speaking to chamber group
(Cleveland)- The State of Tourism in White County was discussed Tuesday as the White County Chamber of Commerce held the first of five vision information meetings.
Jay Markwalter, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus was the featured speaker he shared with the chamber group, gathered at Mountain Education Charter School Office on the Helen Highway, that we are doing well in attracting tourism dollars to the area.
Markwalter provided information on the total dollars that visitors spend in the county along with the jobs the visitor dollars help provide. He said that visitors to White County generate the equivalent of $1,529 in tax savings for every household and that’s good news we all should be thankful for. “Every car tag you see from outside of the area is pure economic development, cash they are leaving behind if it’s five dollars it’s five dollars but it’s is from outside the community. There is no cleaner industry,” said Markwalter.
According to Markwalter not only should we work hard to promote our county but work with the surrounding counties to attract visitors and encourage them to stay longer. He said, “ jump at every opportunity to represent and tell your story.”
L-R- Tom O’Bryant, Cleveland Economic Development Director, White Couty Commissioner Terry Goodger, Jay Markwalter, White County Chamber President Beth Truelove, Jerry Brown, Alpine Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau, John Sell, White County Economic Development Director
The Chamber vision series meeting are updates on the progress of the chambers Vision 2030, big ideas defined by the businesses and stakeholders of White County and the north Georgia mountains. Presented by Habersham Electric Membership Corporation, the chamber has four other series that will include discussion on healthcare, housing, technology, and workforce. 
