Trails and Towns Together: How Communities Capitalize on Trail Tourism

Key Learning Points—

• How trail town programs have been implemented throughout the U.S. and varying approaches to such programs
• The economic and other benefits of connecting trail-to-town
• Examples of how existing trail community programs make both literal and figurative links to nearby trails to improve the trail experience
• The importance of regional collaboration and efforts to connect communities via trails
• How to foster a culture of hospitality that embraces both visiting and local trail users of every ability
• How to offer immersive experiences that go “beyond the trail” and address visitors’ interest in trips that involve more than just time spent on the trail
• More details can be found on the American Trails web site

We hope to spark interesting regional conversations about how communities can leverage the nation’s largest paved trail network – the Miami Valley Trails.