Come to Amherst!

Before coming to Trinity, I had lived in Amherst, Massachusetts for my whole life.  I grew up reading the local newspapers and following town news.  For this assignment I decided to do a little research on the town's newspaper website, the Amherst Bulletin.
  I read an article about a newly created tourism council that has recently received $200,000 in state funding to promote tourism in Amherst and surrounding towns.  The tourism council is one of 16 in the state and was authorized by the Legislature last year.  Executive director of the Greater Northampton (a town about 15 minutes away from Amherst) Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Beck, is a part of the committee and said that in the next month a visitors council will be created to help make decisions about creating a destination and marketing program and start promoting local attractions in the region through the state's Office of Travel and Tourism and Massvacation.com.  Tourism councils are required to market to visitors from at least 50 miles away.                
 According to Beck, tourism is the third largest industry in the state and for every dollar spent in promoting tourism in a region, $40 is created in revenue.  Tony Maroulis, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has been working with Beck on the project and he believes that the most unique things about Amherst and the region is "Art is not just visual art, but also performing arts. Agriculture includes working farms and agri-tourism, as well as hiking trails in state parks and kayaking on the Connecticut River. Education ranges from world-class lecturers to Division I basketball."
  I thought it was really interesting that this council was created because as much of an Amherst enthusiast that I am, I had never thought of Amherst as a tourist hot spot.  It is true that Amherst is a very diverse and unique town because of the town's three colleges.  There are a lot of great restaurants and quaint shops in town that make it fun to hang out in the center of town.  There are a lot of places to go hiking or take nature walks, historical sights and community events to attend.  I hope that this tourism committee really takes off and that more people come visit my wonderful home town!