Sevier County cities set themselves apart to attract tourists

9/20/2011

Despite the weak economy, Sevier County tourism is coming off its busiest summer season and heading into the equally popular fall season.

Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are sister cities working together with one goal: to pull in tourists from all over the globe.

Still each city must set itself apart to hang onto a piece of the tourism pie.

Outlet malls are a big draw, but Sevierville is branching out into adventure tourism and grabbing resort traffic.

"We also really have a niche in having the newest hotels at the most reasonable prices. Thirty percent of our hotel inventory is brand new in Sevierville," said Amanda Marr, marketing director with the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.

Pigeon Forge has top rated dinner shows and attractions to lure families with kids.

"Anything anybody would want to do is here. They've got all kinds of shops, scenery, rides. You name it, they've got it," said Alabama tourist David Shaver.

He and his wife stay in Pigeon Forge, shop in Sevierville and enjoy Great Smoky National Mountains National Park, headquartered in Gatlinburg.

"We like to go in the shops every now and then, but I'd rather be around here. We just saw two deer right up here. We're just having a good time," Shaver added.

The Shavers say they may return in a month to see the brilliant fall colors. "It's beautiful. We love it, wouldn't go anywhere else. Beaches? Forget it," Shaver said.

"It is our busiest month of the year next to July. It is our busiest month of the fall," said Gatlinburg Public Relations Coordinator Jim Davis.

All three cities report preliminary numbers that show they're up from the same time last year.

Last summer, Sevier County received a boost after the oil spill in the Gulf sent many vacationers to the mountains. Officials say many came back this year.

In Gatlinburg alone, numbers were up 13% last summer, and Pigeon Forge is seeing a boost in conventions.

Tourism officials say they've already seen some vacationers this year who changed travel plans because of hurricane damage in the Outer Banks.

 Source: WATE