The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association recently published a new visitor guide that will help attract tourists to Polk, Monroe, and McMinn counties. The 24 page, full color booklet highlights attractions, outdoor recreation, museums, art, nature, and more.  Shyam Nunley, Special Projects Coordinator for the Tennessee Overhill, said, “This publication will be the primary printed piece that we send to people who contact our office for travel information. It will also be distributed to group tour companies, media, and AAA offices, and at trade shows.”  She added, “We are already sending a ton of these out.”

Linda Caldwell, Executive Director for the Tennessee Overhill said, “Tourism marketing works in steps. First you advertise to generate inquiries, and then you follow up by placing good travel planning information in the hands of those people who inquire.” Caldwell added, “Inquiries to the Tennessee Overhill office increased by 17% last year, so we want to be sure we put attractive materials and comprehensive information into the hands of those folks as they plan their vacations.”

Nunley noted that the new guide does not include accommodations. Instead, a special insert that lists all lodging in the Overhill region will be inserted into each guide. She said, “Lodging information changes throughout the year, so having an insert that we can easily update in our office allows us to put accurate information into the hands of potential visitors.”

A new rack card was developed in conjunction with the new visitor guide. It was designed to encourage people to order the guide. Caldwell said, “The dimensions of the new guide do not lend themselves to placement in brochure racks, so we made a new rack card to advertise the guide.”  The rack card will be distributed at interstate welcome centers and other high traffic areas.

Caldwell expressed appreciation for the sponsors. Etowah Utilities, Fort Loudoun State Electric Cooperative, Athens Federal Community Bank, Citizens National Bank, BB&T, Benton Banking Company, First Volunteer Bank, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development provided funds to help offset the cost of producing the guide.

For a free copy, contact the Tennessee Overhill at 423-263-7232 or brochures@tennesseeoverhill.com.