Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Martin Tourism Association’s
Date:	10/4/2020 7:12:08 AM (updated 10/4/2020 8:20:31 AM)

I read an article in the Outlook about this orginazation a few days back and have been mulling it over ever since.  The marketing concept is a proven method, give something away to attract attention.  Great.  But it is the package they put together that is dissapointing to me.  It's the Lake Martin TA, but they get a kayak trip on the river.  Not taking anything away from Chuck and Crew, I am booking a trip with them myself, but that is NOT a showcase for LM.  

Russell Lands who stands to gain the most from any tourism with the new Wicker Pointe development has seen fit to throw in a horseback ride and two free (overpriced and mediocre) meals.  And of course there is the accomadations at the Hampton Inn, in Alex City.  Literally hundreds, maybe thousands, of vacation rentals on the water but were gonna put you in a motel in town.  I understand it is a lot easier for large coorpations to give a wasy a couple of nights than one of the vacation rentals that are typically individual homeowners or small business but I have to believe something could have been negotiated with someone. RL couldn't throw in a days free rental for a boat?  Wind Creek had NO accomadations that could be rented?  SMH.  This is our local leadership in action.

Lake Martin Tourism's Association wants to invite you to register to win a two day vacation here, but we ARE NOT going to get you out on the lake.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Martin Tourism Association’s
Date:	10/4/2020 10:28:50 AM

This is to get people into Alex City.  Alex City is the ones behind and planning on capitalizing their future thru tourism on the lake. That is how they are planning to revive Alex City - on the back of the lake.  Russell will keep developing the lake and most of the planning with regard to Alex City revival is coming from tourists on the lake.  Alex City has an identify crisis - their demographics aren't good and they have a choice between responding to the desires of the people that live there or trying to attract people on the lake to come there.  That's one of the reasons they are building the new high school.  Yes, they probably need a new building, but they are building it to hopefully attact new people to the area.  This is concerted effort between RLM and Alex City.  You mention Wicker Point - RLM will develop it and Alex City will get the tax benefit.  

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Lake Martin Tourism Association’s
Date:	10/4/2020 4:31:59 PM

You hit the mail on the head. RL and city government, who else benefits?