Red Bay reveals new visitor’s guide
Officials and dignitaries gather to officially present the new visitor’s guide resources for the City of Red Bay. Red Bay Mayor David Tiffin and Rep. Johnny Mac Morrow hold the sign; Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association’s Tami Reist cuts the ribbon.
A ribbon cutting Monday marked the official debut of a new visitor’s guide in Red Bay, consisting of both a website and a brochure.
“The main concept behind the entire project is getting the people who come into Red Bay to know what’s going on in and around Red Bay,” said Sandra Burroughs of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. The visitor’s guide initiative began, at least in part, with visitors to Tiffin Motorhomes in mind. “They’re here for weeks at a time, and there’s more to do than just sit in a camper. They’ve got so many options, and we wanted them to see those options.”
The 12-page Visitor’s Guide spotlights “leisure time opportunities for visitors in and around Red Bay. It also includes a comprehensive list of most sought-after services such as doctors, dentists, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores. The Visitor’s Guide was made possible through a grant from the Alabama Tourism Department,” explains information provided by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Dignitaries and other guests enjoy a barbecue lunch as part of Monday’s celebration.
Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow expressed his excitement about the new guide at the Red Bay BBQ and ribbon-cutting event.
“I see Red Bay becoming an Appalachian village where people from all over the country will come here,” Morrow said.
“Professional” and “creative” are words Morrow used to describe the Visitor’s Guide. “I think it’s something that will make people, when they see it, want to come here,” Morrow said.
The new website is found at www.VisitRedBay.com. It features a more in-depth look at the leisure opportunities in the area, as well as nearby states, and a more detailed list of local services. The website was made possible through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The project has been a yearlong process hat involved input from numerous different stakeholder groups, including Red Bay Mayor David Tiffin, who said he sees the proud accomplishment as a feather in his cap.
“The average person who buys a Tiffin motorhome will receive this brochure,” Tiffin said, explaining that a copy of the guide will be sent to each person who buys a motorhome, along with a membership offer to the Tiffin Allegro Club.
Because of this arrangement, the visitor’s guide is already nationwide.
