Being a Tourist

Across the pond, I am continuing my travels through Europe.  This week I rode a train over 180 mph from Germany to Paris, and there I was in the City of Lights.  What you may find surprising about Paris is that it has similarities to our little hometown of Abilene, KS.  I know what you’re thinking: “Paris, France, similar to Abilene?  She’s crazy!  She’s let the travel bug get to her!”  Well, while I may have the travel bug, I’m certainly not crazy.  Keep reading and you’ll see why.

Abilene and Paris are certainly different.  For one, their locations are nowhere close to each other, and they’re 4,638 miles apart.  Abilene’s population is 6,844 people, and Paris’s is 2,243,833.  We’re in different countries, speak a different language, and use different currency.  Yet despite all these differences, we share an industry.  One of Paris’s major industries is tourism...and so is Abilene’s. 

Our attractions are different than Paris’s, that’s true.  Paris’s Top 5 attractions are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and Sacre-Coeur.  I can NOW say I've been to four of these!  Abilene’s Top 5 attractions in 2013 were the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, & Boyhood Home, Great Plains Theatre, the Greyhound Hall of Fame, Seelye Mansion, and the Heritage Center.  I've been to all five…have you?

Tourism is very important to Abilene, and especially to commerce in Abilene.  Combined, our top five attractions welcome over 235,127 visitors every year.  Other attractions like the Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad and Old Abilene Town add another 20,000 visitors.  This is over 250,000 people coming to Abilene to see what we have to offer!

Tourism is an industry IN commerce that also has a domino effect into other industries in commerce.  Many visitors spend the night in Abilene, bringing dollars into the lodging industry.  They eat food in our local restaurants, bringing dollars into the food & hospitality industry.  Shopping in our local stores brings money into our retail and sales industries.  There are even many Abilene residents that started as tourists!  As they moved into town to make their lives here, they brought dollars into the real estate industry, service industry, banking, hair salons, hardware stores, grocery stores, car dealerships, the library, the city, and the list goes on and on. 

Now is the time for tourism around the world.  I can say from experience that’s true in Paris, and I know from experience that it’s true for Abilene.  While tourism often attracts out of town visitors, local tourism also exists.  My friends and I are planning an Abilene trip this summer.  I encourage you to do the same.  Take a day with your family or just you, and visit some of the places in the town we call home. 

I will continue to be out of the office the rest of this week.  You can still call the office at 785-263-1770, and staff at the CVB can help you.  I will return Monday June 23.   

As the locals say in Paris, Au Revoir!