Show n community challenge To what extent does a n community benefit benefit ben wh wb when n a major tourist attraction develops develops de In Its vicinity This is a question asked by many and concerns very definitely definitely Moab and other communities in Southeastern Utah as Nation Nation Nation Na Na- tion Park de development begins this winter To answer the question by examining experiences of other communities in similar sim aim ilar liar situations is not too easy Utah already already al already al- al ready has two National Parks and communities communities communities com com- near them benefit from tourist tourist tourist tour tour- travel to varying degrees Some exist almost exclusively dy as gateway gateway gateway gate way centers to the major attractions deriving the vast majority of their economies economies econ econ- from travelers Others are affected very little tittle even though they are in close proximity to the parks It would appear then that a community community community ity benefits from a neighboring scenic attraction somewhat t to the degree it wants to benefit In other words the initiative initiative initiative in in- in gaining expanded economies from In increased travel lies within the communities communities communities com com- and their citizens and proximity alone will not necessarily bring improved economy As we see soo it then the greatest challenge challenge challenge chal chal- lenge facing Moab as it enters the new year is that presented as a n result of the tho establishment of National Park The Tho community must be aware that competition for traveler attention is keen and a town must be willing to enter that competition If it expects to benefit from the trade Moab has a head start from the tho be be- ginning With well over two hundred air air- conditioned motel units available and I numerous eating and service establishments establishments establishments establish establish- ments here we should be in a fairly good position to get our fair share of the bene bene- fit But this is only the beginning The community must continue Its efforts to rid itself of eyesores It must diligently promote its fa facilities and universal location location location loca loca- tion to scenic attractions It must accept criticism in good faith and be willing to remedy problems as they develop And it must continually strive to progressively improve itself even when doing so it undertakes undertakes un un- un additional expenditures Establishment of National Park has provided Moab with a golden opportunity But like all opportunities it must be taken advantage of It is our hope that this community can make every move possible to gain the greatest possible possible pos pos- sible advantage from the great scenic attraction attraction at at- traction and the travel it will develop |