DO YOU LIVE IN A TOURIST TOWN?

Tourist Attraction - Paddle Steamer
@ossie16d (11821)
Australia
December 16, 2006 11:43pm CST
Is your town a place tourists visit? Share with us some details of your town, what a tourist can see and where they can go if they visit your town. Do you think that your town/district gains a lot out of tourists? Has tourism in your town/district seen higher employment? If you don’t have a lot of tourists in your town, is there a reason for this, I.e. no attractions, too far from anywhere, too much industry or pollution? I no longer live in a tourist town, but for 25 years lived near one and that town was our main shopping centre.
16 people like this
117 responses
• United States
17 Dec 06
Lincolns Boyhood Home - Lincolns Boyhood Home in Knob Creek Kentucky.  About 5-10 miles from his birthplace.
Yeah I live in Hodgenville, Ky where Pres Abe Lincoln was born. But how really wants to see Lincolns birthplace? It's a very small town and the very limited tourists that come here probably effects jobs, ect very little. Mostly it's school field trips. There's also a little historic museam about Lincoln 'down town' at the square where there is also a lovely statue of him too. If you want to drive 5 miles or so down the road then you can also see his boyhood home. Which is actually in a quiet beautiful area (see my pic below). And about 20 minutes or so from here is Elizabethtown. That's right - the very same Elizabethtown from the movie "Elizabethtown". Very exciting huh?!
3 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Hodgenville, Ky - Hodgenville
I am sure that your town is a lovely place and yes I did like the picture that you posted of it. At least you do get school field trips to the area, which is good because that way the children can see where President Abe Lincoln was born and they will hopefully get a little bit of history from that. Thanks for responding to the discussion and I am posting a photo of a building in your town. Maybe you can tell us what it is. :)
1 person likes this
• South Africa
17 Dec 06
Hi I live in a tourist town! I live in Cape Town, in South Africa. Cape Town features Table Mountain, lots of wonderful and large beaches and a wide variety of plant and animal life. Visitors can explore our various forests and game parks - but don't think it's all nature! Cape Town also has the largest theme park in the Southern Hemisphere and some gigantic shopping malls to explore. Apart from that, Cape Town also has an abundance of old building architecture, dating back as far the 19'th century. Best wishes RavenServers Admin
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
Cape Town Harbour - Ship entering Harbour
Hi Cape Town is another place that sounds like it has a lot to offer people and it is also a very old town, which will suit certain types of tourists. This is the sort of place that my son would love to visit, because he likes history and historical places. Thank you for sharing a little bit of information about your city RavenServers and here is a photo of a boat/ship entering Cape Town Harbour. :)
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
I live in Geelong (or have recently moved just out) but I think it is a tourist town. We have a great waterfront, and in January we have Skandia where yachts from all around arrive and there are celebrations. We also have great beaches near by Torquay, Jan Juc and the great Bell beach. There is also the Great Ocean Road that goes to Lorne. Then there is the Ferry from Queenscliff to take you across to Sorrento. We do have a great shopping centre that you can see the waterfront from, and nice places to eat! Oh and the best football team! lol
3 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Scenery Geelong - Great Ocean Road drive
Yes caramello, I too think that Geelong is a tourist town, and those beaches so close are wonderful, although I imagine that they do get rather crowded in the summer months. It is a long time since we have visited there though it is on the agenda to go there sometime during the coming year, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. I will not comment on your football team though caramello, but only because I do not follow any sort of football. LOL Here's a picture of just one of the things that can be seen from the drive along the Great Ocean Road. :)
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Okay, ossie, we'll leave the footy team out! lol Well if you ever get down this way, hope you would call in, you would be most welcome!
1 person likes this
@caramello (4377)
• Australia
27 Dec 06
Well ossie looks like I will be seeing our town from a better view one day soon, now that the rains have come, will have to choose a nice sunny day though, would not want to miss anything now would I. LOL
2 people like this
@sweetie88 (4556)
• Pakistan
17 Dec 06
I live in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Faisalabad is my city and Pakistan is my country. My city is called "Manchester of Asia" and "backbone of Pakistan" due to its textile products. My city is a basically industrial city. Many outsider merchants have to visit my city for bussiness of textiles. Agriculture University of Faisalabad, Pakistan is the second biggest university of Asia and is in my city. Many foreign people and from people from other cities of Pakistan come here for studing. Many foregin students and other people come around the World for Annual functions of this University every year. Clock Tower of my city resembles clock tower of London. I told u the basic feature of my city and i am sure that plenty of tourists visit my city around the world but usually, people visit Northern areas of my country.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
University - Faisalabad, Pakistan
Your town is a mixture sweetie88, part industrial but also a centre for learning. The industries will provide jobs for the people which is good and the university will turn our people who can make a career. I noticed tha there is also some agriculture in the district, which will help the economy plus provide some food. It does sound like it is a very nice place with the diversification, plus the mixture of things from Pakistan as well as the influences of other nations. Thanks for sharing this information with us sweetie88, and here is a photo of the university at Faisalabad. :)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
Rotterdam - Rotterdam, Netherlands
LoYal, isn't Rotterdam a very large port town where ships from many nations visit load and unload cargo? I am not sure what else it has to offer but if it is a large port, then that will attract a certain number of tourists as well as bring in some extra money and work. Thanks for responding and here is a photo of Rotterdam for all to enjoy. :)
1 person likes this
@LoYaL132 (335)
• Netherlands
17 Dec 06
I live in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) I allways see tourists here when I go to the city buying things. I think they like it here
• United States
17 Dec 06
I live in LA, we've got mann's chinese theater, the pantages theater, hollywood blvd, universal studios, disneyland, malibu, santa monica,Downtown LA, Little Chinatown (downtown LA) jewelry district also down town. We've got alot of things! =o)
3 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Los Angeles - LA at night
I believe that your town, Los Angeles, is a very popular place for tourists to visit and from what you said it does seem like there is a lot for people to see and so when they visit it. Thanks for reading and responding and here is a photo of your town at night. :)
1 person likes this
@Echo123 (155)
• United States
17 Dec 06
I live in a state that is 100% dependent on tourism. We do not have a state income tax since tourism brings in so much in sales tax. Of course, even though tourism provides many jobs in our state, they are low-paying service-industry jobs, so it all evns out in the end.
2 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Jetty/Marina - New Port Richey, Florida
What a wonderful place to live in then where you don't have to pay state income tax. Thank heavens for tourists who not only provide jobs for people but also bring in a wealth of money by the sound of it. Thanks for responding to the discussion and here is a photo of a jetty/marina in your town, new port richey. :)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
So you know the place buffetwoman. Small world isn't it that you used to live near the same town as echo. Thanks for your comments and here is a photo of the beach at Spring Hill for you buffetwoman. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Dec 06
Hi echo, I used to live in Spring Hill, and have driven through New Port Richey many, many times!
1 person likes this
@pizzoli (3366)
• Italy
17 Dec 06
I live in Florence, Italy, I think is one of the most attractive place for tourism in Europe. The problems are related to the services offered to the tourists. The level of hotels and restaurants is too low compared to other towns in Europe, like Paris, London, Barcelona.The artistic offer is enourmous as the rest of Italy, with a better care would be one of the best places in the world. It's a shame, we could do better
3 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Florence, Italy - Florence by night
I have heard a lot about Florence but never visited your city and it would be unfortunate if tourists did not come to your town because they are not happy with what is being offered in comparison to other places in Europe. Perhaps in time the people who live in Florence will join together and suggest what could be done to improve your city. Thanks for responding and here is a photo of your city, Florence, taken at night. :)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
Florence, Italy - Florence, Italy
We cannot have it all when we travel buffetwoman, and in this instance Florence has the history and maybe not so great hotels but on the whole I am sure that quite a lot of tourists go there for what the town has to offer. Thanks for your comments and here is another photo for you buffetwoman - this time of Florence. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Dec 06
I have been to Florence, and it is beautiful. Yea, the hotels aren't all that good, but Europe is very old, so I guess it is understandable.
1 person likes this
@caribe (2465)
• United States
17 Dec 06
Double Click on Photo - Marimba Dancers that are all men in this particular dance. Marimba dancers are of all ages and usually consists of a male and female, these being the exception.
I live in Masaya, Nicaragua and it is a tourist attraction. Many tourists stop here to buy souvenirs of Nicaragua. There are many craftsmen displaying their goods at a marketplace for that. This city is famous for making a colorful high quality hammock that are very desirable. There is a guitar maker, marimba makers (like a xylophone), beautifully hand-crafted clay pots and pitchers, there are paintings and various other crafts. It is near a volcano where parakeets nest and some other volcanos. There are two large lakes here and it is very near Granada, one of the oldest cities in Central America. In November and December there is some kind of attraction just about every weekend here, such as Marimba Dancers doing a traditional Nicaraguan dance and wearing very colorful costumes.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua - Volcano
Your town sounds like a lovely place to visit caribe and I have just had a look at your photo as well as some on the internet to see what there is for visitors. It looks really lovely and a good place to visit however I won't tell my son or he will disappear there to check it out. LOL Thanks very much for sharing some information about your town, and what there is for us to see if/when we visit.
1 person likes this
@dave_lie (1474)
• Indonesia
17 Dec 06
no, i don't live in a tourist town but i live in the tourist province, north sumatra, indonesia exactly. so i can tell you a little about the tourist attractions in the place. there is a great lake in my province called danau toba/toba lake. if i am not mistaken the lake is the second biggest lake in the world. it has an island in the center which is called samosir island. you can find so many resorts there. many foreign tourist visit the lake every year.
2 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
I have heard a little about Sumatra before, but never knew that there were so many attractions available for tourists to see on their visit. One of the good things is that tourism will bring money as well as work for the locals which is good. Is this the area that also attracts a lot of divers who like to see the underwater areas? Thanks very much for sharing the information about your district and here is a photo of Toba for you to enjoy. :)
1 person likes this
@Bunny2 (2102)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Melbourne - Melbourne, capital of the state of Victoria in Australia.
I live near Melbourne airport, so our suburb isn't a tourist attraction but we have LOTS of tourists go through. LOL. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria in Australia. Melbourne is a fabulous city for tourists. Lots of attractions from museums and theatres, thousands of restaurants and cafés, nightclubs, lots of good shopping places. It's a very cosmopolitan city and in the top ten of the best places to live. I personally love it here.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Melbourne, Australia - Overlooking Melbourne at night
Have been to your city a lot of times Bunny2, and in fact will be making a quick trip there tomorrow (Monday). We will be leaving in about an hour as we have an appointment there tomorrow, but it will be a case of going there, seeing the specialist and then out of the place. Melbourne certainly does have a lot to offer the tourist and is improving the facilities and attractions all the time. Thanks for reading and contributing to the discussion Bunny2. :)
@koushika (693)
• India
20 Dec 06
i live in Visakhapatnam, AP state, India, its a beautiful city with wide roads, on the sea side, with beautiful beaches in and around the city, there are a total of 4-5 beaches, Ramakrishna, rushikonda, bheemili, yerrada, and there is steel city which is famous for its iron and steel export all over the world...steel city is the township for only the people who work in the steel industry, but is beautiful in the way of its design and construction...and there is a hilltop view of the whole city, a breathtaking picnic spot with gardens and park from where we can see the sea and the sky, the city and valleys on the other side... India is famous for its rich heritage...likewise, there are some famous temples in Vizag which are tourist attractions, and there are parks and theme parks in the city. but most famous of all, there is a hillstation near to vizag called Araku which is famous haunt for all those who love, hills and deep valleys, cold climate, and flowering gardens, and shooting spots for the films and ideal for holidays and enjoyment rides...there are also some naturally formed caves called Borra caves where even more no. of people come... this is all about our beautiful city...
2 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
20 Dec 06
Your town sounds like a lovely place, which so much to see and do and the fact that is has a wide variety of things for the tourist would attract many more. It is interesting that there is a township for the steel industry and its workers. Thank you for sharing some details about your town/city with us and this is a photo of a temple at Vizag. :)
1 person likes this
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Queensland - Queensland
I'm from Brisbane Qld Australia 1st point of call to the Sunshine State, from here there is a number of places to visit. Going North Sunshine Coast, Steve Irwin's (or should I say Bindi's) Australia Zoo, Big Pineapple & Golden Beaches just to name a few. Going south The Gold Coast, Movie World, Wet & Wild, Dream World, & Sea World.. More to see & do than can be mentioned...
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
18 Dec 06
Aah, now this is a town that I know rather well, having been there many times. Also go to the Sunshine Coast every year to see some special friends, Gold Coast as well but not every year of course. I know that there is plenty to see and do in Brisbane and the areas within about an hour's drive of it. Thanks for sharing this with us, and here is a photo of the Brisbane River for you to enjoy. :)
@evachu (130)
• Canada
17 Dec 06
montreal is a place where a lot come to visit, theres lots to see, most come though for the night life, the clubs etc, but theres the old port, biodome, the shopping malls,the underground city, and much much more
2 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
19 Dec 06
Montreal, Canada - City skyline
Is it Montreal where the population speaks both English and French, or is my memory slipping in my "old age"? I think that Montreal is one of those cities that our son wants us to see if he returns to Canada, because he says we will have to visit him this time. If that is the case, then I do hope there is plenty to see there. LOL Thanks for sharing the information about your city, and here is a photo of part of the the city of Montreal.
1 person likes this
• Spain
17 Dec 06
I live in a Town called Arroyo de la miel, which is on the Costa del sol, Southern Spain. Its only 5 mins from the beach, and attracts a lot of visitors every year. It has many many restaruants, chinese, english, german, and even some spanish. Cable cars will take you to the top of a lovely mountain with views along the whole coast. A small theme park, a beautiful park, lots of ex pats.
2 people like this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
17 Dec 06
Arroyo de la miel, Spain - Spain
It sounds like a lovely place to visit and even better to live there. Are the ex-pats who live there from any country in particular or from various countries? From the photos I saw it seems as though there is plenty of accommodation available right near the beach, which is something that a lot of tourists do like. Thanks for sharing the information about your city with us and for responding to the discussion. This is an image of an aerial view of the beach at your town. :)
@morfessa1 (190)
• Australia
3 Jan 07
I live in Brisbane Queensland and work in the tourism and hospitality industry. I have to say that here, yes, tourism makes a difference. Here for new years we have fireworks up and down the whole river along with music. Attractions galore all over the city. The biggest picture theatre in Queensland, a fake beach made just next to the river that fills with people every holidays, a great walk along the river. Lots of great restaurants and nightclubs. It's not a very scary place at night either unlike some cities. We have the RNA showgrounds for Easter, The Convention Centre (where I work) for most of the exhibitions and conventions. It's always growing here in the way of tourism, apparently there are more people moving to Brisbane in the last few years than ever b4. I just have one complaint and it's only a little off the subject but the public transport system isn't very good here. It's good for the tourists but not for the people who work in tourism. Even though Brisbanes main revenue comes from tourism hospitality most of the trains and buses finish at 10:30-11:00pm on weeknights. I don't usually finish work on weeknights till 12am-2am
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
3 Jan 07
Another place that I do know rather well morfessa1 and generally try to get there every year although we do tend to stay on the Sunshine Coast with friends. Brisbane certainly has grown since I first went there way back in 1968, because then it was certainly a backwater. LOL Here is a photo of Brisbane by night overlooking the river for all to enjoy. :)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
4 Jan 07
Yes the Government in NSW seems to think that the State is only Newcastle, Sydney and Woolongong rather than the whole state. That is very much evidenced by what is done in the cities while the country sufferer, whereas Qld Government knows that the whole state can generate money for them. Certainly some things might need to be fixed but the money is spent throughout the whole state rather than just a few places.
1 person likes this
• Australia
4 Jan 07
Yeah I bet, I've gotta say I'm from New South Wales originally and their we say that Queensland is backwards. I think that it's not that Queensland is backwards or behind in the times, it's more that when they do something they take the time to do it properly. In Sydney it's a bit more slap bang here you go we'll fix the bugs later.
@MySpot (2600)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I am also from a small city in Ohio. We are known for an amusement park. ((Is your town a place tourists visit?)) Yes. Springtime and Summertime are our busy seasons. ((Do you think that your town/district gains a lot out of tourists? )) Sure, the businesses thrive. As for the town, NO! The majority of our businesses offer discounts to the employees of the park and it seems rude to the locals, I think. Truth is, they would only have a seasonal business if it weren't for us, right? ((Has tourism in your town/district seen higher employment?)) The only problem I have is that the amusement park hires mostly foreigners to staff it. Nothing against the foreigners themselves... but if you are a resident of the city, you are less likely to be accepted for employment : ( More on the park... It doesn't offer the locals ANY discounts for ANYTHING; parking (which I believe we pay some taxes on), admission, season passes, games, shops or even a lil 10% on eatery. I think every other amusement park and most zoo's offer some discount for the locals. I mean we have to deal with the crazy traffic and rise in hotel prices and we can't even understand the language of 90% of the employees when we do visit.((which is great for the The prices are outrageous too! It's $10 for parking and costs to pick up and drop someone off too! So, if I wanted to drop my nephew off, it would cost me to pick him up and drop him off, even if he had a season pass... yes, it's seperate, unless you purchase a parking pass ((which you almost have to and it's not cheap either)) And as I mentioned before, there are no discounts for the pass-holders, who are going to be visiting and spending regularly throughout the seasons and are most likely RESIDENTS! Sorry, but as you can see... I'm not all that excited to be living in a tourist city. Great Discussion! Keep 'em coming ossie!
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
23 Dec 06
Yes I live in Ohio We have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Football Hall of Fame. happy Holidays.
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
24 Dec 06
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Ohio is a big state too, isn't it? Do the tourists stay in your town for long and do they provide extra employment by virtue of accommodation, meals, tourist attractions etc? This is a photo of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio that you mentioned for all to enjoy. :)
@Aeval39 (773)
• United States
17 Dec 06
I live in NYC. Sooo many tourists here. I like to whip out my camera and take random pictures when I'm walking to class, and I always joke with my friends that I'm being such a tourist. I think it's funny that many of these tourists go to places that many New Yorkers have never even visited. All the things NYC is famous for are not central to our lives here. I've never been to the empire state building. I've seen the Statue of Liberty once, from a boat. I do think that people make a lot of money off unsuspecting tourists here. I went to Rockafeller Center once, and my friend and i were hungry so we stopped at a pizza place. The guy wanted $5 for one slice! It's about $1.5 in other places. Such a tourist trap. I said "Even if I'm a New Yorker?" I actually haggled with him, for the first time ever. I got the price knocked down to $5 for TWO slices. Not bad, eh? :P
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
19 Dec 06
New York City, USA - Looking from Central Park
I am sure that the number of tourists in your town makes it interesting as you walk along speculating about their nationality etc. It is often the case that tourists will visit places that the locals do not, and these things are right on our own doorstep sometimes. LOL It is true that sometimes we have to bargain to get something at a lower price when we are a local, because the tourist will often pay more than the going price, generally because they have no idea of what they should be paying. Thanks for sharing this information with us, and here is a photo of New York looking out from Central Park. :)
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
8 Jan 07
No problems at all with this one Morfessa1. I will PM you with information on how to do it because it isn't at all complicated. :)
• Australia
7 Jan 07
Ossie, I know this is a little off the subject but I'd love to know how your posting pics with your comments? I don't seem to be able to do this at all.
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
18 Dec 06
Niagara Falls Canada - home for me
I'm from Niagara Falls Canada which is a very touristy place....I actually love it there..not to live anymore though but I love goin back to visit and hangin out on Clifton Hill with the kids etc...
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
19 Dec 06
Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls in winter
Niagara Falls would be one of those places that I would agree is definately a tourist place and rather hectic too I would imagine as people come from all over the world to see this marvel. Maybe I will get there in a couple of years to see this for myself, because while it looks spectacular on television I am sure that it will be even better seeing it in person. Thanks for your response ravenladyj. This photo is of the Niagara Falls in winter. :)
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
29 Dec 06
Actually our son visited Niagara Falls early this year (2006) and said that it is one place that we should visit should we ever get over there. My husband has relations who live fairly close to the Niagara Falls, but on the American side of the border. :)
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
19 Dec 06
NIagara Falls is only hectic in the summer months..then its a nuthouse and yes you have ppl from all over the world visiting..but its a lot of fun..I grew up there and still i love goin back to visit...but its not just seeing and getting close to the falls thats fun Clifton Hill is also a huge tourist area and a blast especailly if you have kids (Great Canadian Midway on the hill is SO MUCH FUN)there are lots of great restaurants like Franks Tomato Pie on Lundys Lane, Kelseys on the Hill, the Keg, Taco and Tequila (though I've not been there for some yrs now) and the Sunday morning buffet inside the Sheraton Fallsview used to be AMAZING!! best buffet I've ever had....You have the butterfly conservatory, Duffrin Islands, and just the drive along the niagara parkway is nice, Kings Park in Chippawa is nice for a nice picnic with the kids and of course Toronto is only an hour or so drive which is a GREAT place to go for all sorts of stuff! Next summer I want to take my kids to T.O (Toronto) to give them the downtown experience.....I miss home so much sometimes...
• Philippines
18 Dec 06
I live in Davao City, Philippines.There are a lot of places to see here in Davao City. There's the Eden Nature Park, Paradise Island. A lot of tourists go there for a vacation especially during Summer and Holidays.I see quite a lot of foreigners here. Our local government has boosted our tourism through holding of Araw ng Davao where all provinces in Region XI perform their native dance.REgion XI is composed of Davao City, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compstela Valley and Davao Del Norte. On this day, streets are filled with dances, games, parades of beauties..They also showcase their province delectable goods.ex. native products, fruits (durian, mangoes, mangosteen)
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
19 Dec 06
Snorkelling - Davao City, Philippines
Another member who lives in Davao City in the Philippines, and it seems that your city has a lot to offer the tourists who visit there. This photo is of snorkelling at Davao City.
24 Dec 06
I live in GOA (India)...one of the most beautiful tourist destinations located in India. It's a place where you try to meet your soul. And I bet you will certainly meet it...:-)
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
24 Dec 06
Goa sounds like an interesting place to visit and for any tourist who is looking to meet their soul. Now that sounds really interesting, "meet your soul". Thanks for sharing this with us. This photo is of Anjuna Beach at Goa (India) for all to enjoy. :)
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
24 Dec 06
Excuse me for breaking in Ossie but I just wanted to wish Sydney a Feliz Natal (Happy Christmas) from Portugal. Goa was once a part of Portugal and I have several Goan friends and neighbors here. Again a thousand and one pardons for the intrusion.