u St. Simons Island, along the southeast coast of Georgia, one of the state’s most popular tourism regions
W hile Geor - gia’s coastal tourism is a significant driver in the state’s $63 billion tourism industry, it also has the potential to overwhelm the natural features of the region, which is already the state’s second-fastest-growing area. The Marine Extension and Geor - gia Sea Grant program works with business owners, tourism officials, government representatives, aca - demia, and community organiza - tions to promote coastal tourism while preserving coastal Georgia’s unique environmental and cultur - al resources. In this Q&A, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Associate Marine Extension Director Bryan Fluech talks about three of the programs UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has developed and how they are building capacity and cooperation among the coast’s tourism-related organizations.
Balance University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s
Delicate
coastal tourism program promotes economic resilience and environmental sustainability
38 The NET Effect | Extension Foundation/NTAE
Extension Foundation/NTAE | The NET Effect 39
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