Archive for the ‘Tourism’ Category
The Republic-
The Issue:
Adjusting to international migration.
Our Position:
Cutting educational funds for ESL students will cost communities much more in the long run.
Locally, Bartholomew County hasexperienced a growth of 5 percent between 2000 and 2008. In numbers that translates into 3,925 more residents.
Not surprisingly, the greatest gain came from a natural increase — more births than deaths.
But it is when the incidence of international migration into Bartholomew County is factored into the equation that the changing face of the community becomes apparent.
International migration alone pumped up the local population by 2.27 percent during that eight year period.
That’s double the state’s average and ranks it below only five other Hoosier counties in international migration.
Even those stunning statistics might not reflect reality. Su Casa President Stephen Franz believes the actual numbers are much higher with the Latino population growth more than doubling to over 7,200 in that eight-year period.
Whatever the actual numbers, the effect of these changes is dramatically evident. The new citizenry is changing life in Bartholomew County and it’s important that the community be prepared to deal with it.
Unfortunately, many members of the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Mitch Daniels’ administration are not on the same page.
Faced with a difficult financial picture for the foreseeable future, Hoosier leaders have been forced to propose drastic cuts in a number of important programs.
One of the early targets was the English as a Second Language program for Hoosier schools. In early budget proposals, lawmakers were considering a plan to more than halve the previous expenditure of $7 million to $3 million.
Obviously, that might not have as great an impact in communities that have experienced little international migration.
Jennings, Decatur and Brown counties, for instance, have experienced almost insignificant international growth.
But to cut those funds in Bartholomew County, which has had to accommodate a much higher number of students for whom English is their second language, could not only impair the education of those children but affect the entire school corporation.
There are no stereotypes for this particular immigration. While Hispanic growth is the greatest, there has also been a significant increase in immigrants from India, for instance — many hired to work in technology positions with local corporations.
They all are part of the Bartholomew County that is emerging during this period of change and their needs must be addressed, not only for their benefit but for that of the entire county.
Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) is partnering with Indiana University faculty researchers from the Tourism Research and Education Center in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies to perform a career needs assessment for the Hospitality/Tourism industries in a 10-county region. Counties include: Bartholomew, Brown, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland.
Dr. Charles Chancellor, Dr. Shu Cole and graduate students Wei Wang, Michael Valliant, Ellen Coe and Lauren Duffy will help quantify the employment opportunities; identify employment trends; assess education needs; identify career paths and develop career pathways; and evaluate the impact of Hospitality/Tourism industries. These industries represent approximately 12,000 jobs.
The researchers will ask Hospitality/Tourism attractions and stakeholders to share their knowledge, opinions and experience. They will also ask targeted businesses about major tourism attractions, key tourism stakeholders and visitors to each county.
EcO15 is a regionally- focused initiative whose goal is to advance residents in Southeast Indiana by at least one level in their education, training, job placement and income. Lilly Endowment, Inc. provided grants for educational programs to develop a competent workforce for three employment clusters: Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare and Hospitality/Tourism. The grant will fund the research of Hospitality/Tourism as a viable, sustainable employment option for the residents of this region.
Two Bartholomew County organizations (Heritage Fund-the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and the Community Education Coalition) administer the grants and provide leadership, oversight and management support for the EcO15 Project.
For information about the study, contact the EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Coordinator, Jeanne Robinson by email Jeanne.robinson@eco15.org or phone (317) 412-3917.
For more information about:
EcO15, visit www.eco15.org.
Community Education Coalition, visit www.educationcoalition.com.
Heritage Fund-the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, visit www.heritagefundbc.com.
A recent study conducted by Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research found that “dollars spent on tourism promotion and marketing by Indiana’s convention and visitors bureaus generate approximately $15 in taxable revenues. Using figures from 2006, the study found the average county in Indiana received about $11.7 million in wages from hotel and motel accommodations, $66 million in food services, $7.5 million in amusement and gaming , almost $2 million from museums and $19.5 million from the arts and recreation activities.” “About 60 percent of the value added production from hotels and motels stays in the state in the form of wages and investment.”
This report substantiates the benefit to the state to support tourism in Indiana, how can that same benefit equate to sustainable careers within the Hospitality and Tourism industry to enhance employment opportunities in Region 9?
The EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism initiative is finding out. With the help from our EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Advisory Council, the large EcO15 network involving EcO15 staff and coordinators, education partners, visitor center partners, community leaders and the Hospitality/Tourism sector stakeholders, EcO15 has the resources to answer that question.
EcO15 recently entertained proposals from four Indiana Universities to help with this challenge. EcO15 will be entering into a relationship with one of the state universities to conduct a needs assessment. The assessment will include identifying career opportunities and the impact of tourism to local communities.
When this study is completed, EcO15 will have a data base of current tourism oriented entities in the eleven counties included in the study. EcO15 will also have information concerning the current needs, employment trends, employer training, challenges and predicted growth based upon tourist businesses.
As part of this research EcO15 will know the career opportunities and the educational pathways to those opportunities. The findings will also identify the economic and socio-cultural impacts of tourism.
Recently in an article in USA Today it was pointed out that one in every eight employment opportunities are tourism or travel related. The EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Initiative will identify those opportunities for sustainable career pathways in the Hospitality/Tourism sector in Region 9.
Additional information concerning careers in the Hospitality/Tourism industry can be found :
• www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs023.htm
• www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs036
- www.bls.gov/oco/cgt/cgs031.htm
*Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, Food Services and Drinking places, Hotel and Other
- www.khake.com/page61.html
*Hospitality, Recreation, Tourism Career Guide, USA.gov Career Voyages, H & T Career videos, 2008 Occupation Outlook Handbook
The EcO15 Hospitality and Tourism initiative was launched September 30th at the Madison Ivy Tech Community College featuring keynote speaker, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. The session was attended by 70 Hospitality/Tourism representatives, local educators, and community leaders. Lt. Governor Skillman spoke of the tremendous opportunity that lies within Hospitality/Tourism. This industry accounts for $10 billion in annual state revenue and over 260,000 employees.
“Indiana’s tourism industry is thriving. Each year, our state plays host to 62 million visitors,” said Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, who oversees the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. “Along with the success of our tourism industry comes new
opportunities. With programs like the Economic
Opportunities through Education by 2015 initiative, we are able to create an environment that helps foster job growth and economic development.”
Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) is a ten-county regional initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. EcO15 leaders announced the kickoff of an assessment of
Hospitality/Tourism within Southeast Indiana.