Title: A Study of the Tourism Practices of Helen, GA
1A Study of theTourism Practices ofHelen GA
2Background
LOCATION
- WHITE
- COUNTY
- in
- Northeast
- Georgia
90 miles NE of Atlanta 140 miles NW of Augusta 9
0 miles SE of Knoxville 100 miles SE of Chattanoo
ga
242 square miles
Organized in 1857
Sources www.naco.org and www.gmanet.com/city_deta
il
3Background
LOCATION
Source www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/histcoun
tymaps
4Background
LOCATION
Source www.epodunk.com/cgibin/ Census map
5Background
POPULATION
- 430 yearround residents in the city of Helen
- 19944 yearround residents in White County
- 49.5 male 50.5 female
- 15.5 veteran status
- 97.7 born in the United States
- 66.2 born in the State of Georgia
- 02.0 foreign born
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
6Background White County
AGE
RACE
- Median age 38.3 years
- 19.5 under 15 years old
- 12.9 15 to 24 years old
- 12.6 25 to 34 years old
- 15.2 35 to 44 years old
- 13.8 45 to 54 years old
- 11.4 55 to 64 years old
- 08.5 65 to 74 years old
- 04.8 75 to 84 years old
- 01.3 85 years old and older
98.9 one race 95.2 Caucasian 02.2 AfricanAme
rican 00.4 American Indian 00.5 Asian 00.2 P
acific Islander
00.5 Other 01.1 Multiracial
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
7Background White County
EDUCATION
MARITAL STATUS
- Individuals over 25 years old
- 09.0 less than 9th grade
- 15.0 High School no diploma
- 35.1 High School graduate or equivalency
- 20.8 some College no degree
- 04.6 Associate degree
- 09.8 Bachelors degree
- 05.6 Graduate or professional degree
Individuals over 15 years old 17.2 never married
64.5 married living together 00.9 married s
eparated
06.9 widowed 10.5 divorced
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
8Background White County
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Median household income 36084
- 10.1 less than 10000
- 05.3 10000 to 14999
- 15.1 15000 to 24999
- 17.8 25000 to 34999
- 20.8 35000 to 49999
19.7 50000 to 74999 06.4 75000 to 99999
03.3 100000 to 149999 00.7 150000 to 1
99999
00.8 200000 or more
08.4 of families below poverty level
10.5 of individuals below poverty level
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
9Background White County
HOUSING
HOME VALUE
- Median 5.3 rooms
- 00.7 one room
- 02.7 two rooms
- 06.9 three rooms
- 17.9 four rooms
- 26.0 five rooms
- 21.1 six rooms
- 12.7 seven rooms
- 06.5 eight rooms
- 05.6 nine or more rooms
Median value 114000 06.0 Less than 50000 34
.4 50000 to 99999 33.7 100000 to 149999
15.9 150000 to 199999 06.9 200000 to 2
99999 02.7 300000 to 499999 00.4 500000
to 999999 00.0 1000000 or over
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
10Background White County
VEHICLE AVAILABILITY
- 04.5 No vehicles for transportation
- 25.6 One vehicle for transportation
- 44.2 Two vehicles for transportation
- 17.225.6ree or more vehicles for transportation
Source 2000 U.S. Census Bureau
11Background White County
CRIME RATES number of incidents
- 000 Murder
- 003 Rape
- 003 Robbery
- 042 Aggravated Assault
- 130 Burglary
- 289 Larceny theft
- 041 Motor vehicle theft
Source www.fedstats.gov/mapstats/crime.html
12Background
HELEN CITY GOVERNMENT
- Five elected Commissioners
- One appointed City Manager
- One appointed City Clerk
- One appointed City Attorney
Source www.gmanet.com/city_detail
13Background
WHITE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
- Three elected Commissioners one of whom is
appointed Chairman
- One elected Probate Judge
- One elected Chief Magistrate
- One elected County Sheriff
- One elected Tax Commissioner
- One elected Court Clerk
Source www.naco.org
14History
- 1800 Cherokee Indian culture
- 1813 Construction began on Unicoi Turnpike
- 1828 Gold discovered
- 1838 Trail of Tears as Indians leave
- 1913 Railroad built valley named
- 1968 Save the deteriorating town
- 1969 Idea to reality Bavarian village
Source www.naco.org
15Tourism
LODGING HOTELS / MOTELS
- Alpenhof Motel 38 rooms
- Alpine Crest Resort 44 rooms
- Alpine Village Inn 20 rooms
- Bavarian Brook Rentals 20 rooms
- Best Western 65 rooms
- Chalet Kristy 27 rooms
- Comfort Inn 57 rooms
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
16Tourism
LODGING HOTELS / MOTELS
- Country Inn Suites 63 rooms
- Days Inn 57 rooms
- Econo Lodge 32 rooms
- Hampton Inn on the River 67 rooms
- Hofbrauhaus Riverfront Motel 39 rooms
- Holiday Inn Express 48 rooms
- IGLS Villas at Innsbruck 15 rooms
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
17Tourism
LODGING HOTELS / MOTELS
- Loreley 73 rooms
- Ramada Limited 54 rooms
- Super 8 61 rooms
- The Castle Inn 12 rooms
- The Helendorf River Inn 99 rooms
- The Lodge at Smithgall Woods 5 rooms
- The Lodge at Unicoi State Park 130 rooms
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
18Tourism
LODGING BED BREAKFASTS
- Alpine Hilltop Haus BB
- Black Forest BB and Luxury Cabins
- Ivy Ridge BB
- Royal Windsor English Style BB
- Caffery Inn BB Cleveland 10 miles
- Lodge at Windy Acres Cleveland 10 miles
- Skelton Inn Cleveland 10 miles
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
19Tourism
LODGING CABINS CAMPING
- A1 Vacation Rentals
- A Premier Vacation Rentals Inc.
- Blue Ridge Cabin Rentals
- Cabin on the Creek
- Cabins at Carolina Springs
- Chattahoochee Ridge Lodge Cabins
- Chattahoochee River Campground
- Chimney Shadows Cabin
- Comfort Woods Cabins
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
20Tourism
LODGING CABINS CAMPING
- Country Charm Cabins
- Georgia Mountain Madness Cabins
- Katrinas Cottages
- Lunds Hideaway Cabins
- Mountain View Inn
- Nacoochee Cabins
- Outside Chance Vacation Rentals
- Timberloft Cottages
- Unicoi State Park
Source 2003 Georgia On My Mind Travel Guide
21Tourism
RESTAURANTS
- Ald Heidelberg Restaurant
- Blimpies
- Café International
- Cannibals Food Spirits
- Das Bagel Haus
- Eidelweiss German Restaurant
- Farmers Market Cafe
- Garden Gate Catering
Hans Restaurant Hayloft Pub Hofbrauhaus Restaura
nt Hofers Bakery Cafe Huddle House Jazzee Piz
za Taco Bell Kentucky Fried Chicken La Cabana M
exican
22Tourism
RESTAURANTS
- Ma Goochs
- Mamies Kitchen
- Moms Way
- Nacoochee Grill
- Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant
- Papas Pizza to Go
- Pauls Steak House
- Pizza Pub
- River Haus Italian
- River Walk Restaurant
Southside Sports Bar Unicoi State Park Restaurant
Troll Tavern Vielle Margaritas Village Coffee
House Wendys West Family Restaurant Wooden Sho
e Dutch Café Wurst Haus
23Tourism
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
- Chattahoochee River Tubing Rafting
- 21 Waterfalls
- Hiking Trails
24Tourism
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
- Alpine Antique Auto Buggy Museum
- Alpine Wedding Chapel
- Babyland General Hospital
- Black Bear Forest Park
- Charlemagnes Kingdom
- Model Railroad
25Tourism
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
- Freds Famous Peanuts
- Habersham Winery
- Nantahala Outdoor Center Rafting
- Old Sautee Store
- Sautee Nacoochee Arts Center
- Scarletts Secret
- World of Dreams Museum
- Unicoi State Park
26Tourism
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
- Amicalola Falls State Park 40 miles
- Gold mining Dahlonega 30 miles
- Lake Lanier 20 miles
- Vogel State Park 20 miles
- Tallulah Falls 20 miles
- Brasstown Bald Mountain
- 20 miles
27Tourism
EVENTS
- Hogpen Hill Climb Race
- Fireside Craft / Art Show
- Annual Trout Tournament
- Spring Volksmarch
- Wildflower Fever
- Youth Fishing Day
- Winefest
28Tourism
EVENTS
- Birding by Ear
- Helen Fat Tire Festival
- Oktoberfest
- Easter eggstravaganza
- Georgia Mountain Fair
- July 4th / Memorial Day celebrations
- Christmas / New Years celebrations
29Strengths
- Quaint village
- Pleasant friendly atmosphere
- Plentiful shopping
- Abundant outdoor activities
- Amusement
- Strong history
- Abundant lodging and restaurants
- Uniqueness
30Weaknesses
- Congested traffic in a small area
- Limited audience
- Residents somewhat frustrated
- Perception of North Georgia
- Singular theme of town
31Opportunities
- Location near a number of natural sites
- Capitalize on mountains and outdoor activities
- Increased publicity
- Draw outofstate visitors
- Central location for day trips
32Threats
- Gradual contamination of river
- Theme of town might not appeal to some
- Lack of variety
- Pollution
- Stereotypes of Bavarian theme
- Stereotypes of small mountain town
33Recommendations
- Increase marketing in South Georgia
- Encourage longer stays
- More tour packages that combine nature and
festivals
- Market the atmosphere attitude and excitement
- Hype Oktoberfest outside immediate area
- Turn Oktoberfest into the Mardi Gras of
Georgia