Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan Sets Sights on Responsible and Sustainable Visitation
Traditionally, the primary focus of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau has been to attract visitors to Dare County and encourage travelers to spend their discretionary time and income at local businesses as they enjoy a unique vacation experience. While this remains the mission of the bureau, it has also become necessary for that work to ensure that the community is achieving a more equitable balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the sustainable protection of the local environment, culture, and resident quality of life.
In May 2023, the Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan (PDF File) (LRTMP) was created following an extensive 18-month process that harnessed the input of hundreds of tourism community stakeholders and thousands of Dare County residents. The LRTMP is a comprehensive roadmap that will allow this community to take a strategic approach to defining its competitive positioning as a destination moving forward.
One of the first action items with the plan was to hire a Community Engagement Manager to help ensure that the LRTMP stays on track. On August 28, 2023, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau welcomed Jeff Schwartzenberg to the organization in this newly created role. With more than two decades of marketing, communications, and strategic partnership experience, Schwartzenberg has been charged with helping put the strategies of the LRTMP into practice within the Outer Banks community.
Schwartzenberg is responsible for developing and coordinating partner engagement programs, collaborating with local non-profit organizations, enhancing partnerships within the community, and implementing the initiatives of the LRTMP with a focus on strengthening relations between visitors, the tourism industry, and residents.
“As a past visitor, previous local business owner, and resident of this community for almost 10 years, my diverse perspective helps me to understand the dynamic opportunities and unique challenges facing the Outer Banks tourism landscape. I look forward to engaging with our community stakeholders as we seek to balance quality of life with quality of place and experiences.”
For more information on the Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan, visit https://www.outerbanks.org/lrtmp.