In fact, a number of Ottawa tourism activities such as the historic architecture tours, museums and antiques shops rank among the top five tourism activities in Kansas. Adjacency to other popular tourist activities and locations, namely mall and outlet mall shopping in Lawrence and Kansas City, hasn't hurt either. Ottawa and Franklin County can serve as the third destination point on part of a magic triangle with Lawrence and Kansas City for tourism revenue, but it will require creative and integrated marketing efforts. Tourism revenue contributes many of the eagerly sought-after sales tax dollars. Tax dollars that help support our community without putting additional demands on infrastructure or a heavier burden on property taxpayers.
Tourists come in all shapes and sizes.
Each with a specific set of wants and needs for how their tourism dollars will be spent. One group local hotels have successfully brought back to the area year after year, for at least one night, are the potentially fickle snowbirds. Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota snowbirds, among others, have found Ottawa to be a pleasant and affordable midway point on their southward-bound winter trek. Attempts by Franklin County's Convention and Tourism Bureau, among others, to keep snowbirds in the area for another day or two could certainly add to the county's bottom line. However, it will require a discount package of some sort for a host of local attractions and dining establishments to keep these price-concious travelers to linger longer.