I n 1993, a group of Extension and Sea Grant professionals formed the National Exten - sion Tourism (NET) design team, with a mission to integrate research, education, and outreach within Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant to support sustainable tourism, contrib - uting to the long-term economic development, environmental stewardship, and socio-cultural well-being of communities and regions. Since then, this volunteer organization has provided leadership to Extension tourism work across the United States and has become the leading networking and resource-sharing platform for Extension and Sea Grant professionals in tour - ism-related programming. The NTAE Boost As a participant in the 2022 New Technologies for Agricultural Extension (NTAE) accelerator program, the NET design team received funding and technical support for organizational growth and to expand the reach of Extension program - ming and research on tourism and recreation. Outcomes of the 18-month project included: • a publication series about how Extension tourism programming can elevate other program areas • an outreach program, which sent NET ambassadors to five national conferences to engage with new audiences • publication of the first NET Conference proceedings • formation of a NET committee on diversi - ty, equity, inclusion, and access • an organizational growth plan • a redesigned logo and new marketing ma - terials, including a traveling display What’s Possible The tourism and outdoor recreation programming that NET members engage in supports multiple community development goals, such as economic and workforce development; health equity; climate
Engagement NET collaborates with land grant university faculty and students as well as community members and partners to set priorities and solve problems.
Inventory NET is documenting and assessing Extension and Sea Grant tourism programs.
Professional Development & Networking NET provides knowledge- and re- searched-based educational opportunities to Extension, Sea Grant, and other stakeholders (e.g. land owners, public officials, industry leaders). Sharing NET offers applied research, special programs, and other tourism develop- ment/outdoor recreation expertise to key stakeholder and audiences.
Tourism and recreation, including agritourism, community (or rural) tourism, and coastal tourism, make up a rapidly growing segment of the economy and offer rural and urban communities of all sizes an important strategy for growing their economies and building economic resilience. Howev- er, these opportunities often come with serious challenges, ranging from workforce issues to managing environmen- tal impacts at popular destinations. Local leaders and policy makers need unbiased information and objective data about their local economies in order to make sound decisions about tourism management, planning, and policy issues. The Cooperative Extension System is a trusted source of this information and a natural partner in community- driven tourism and recreation projects. Why Tourism?
to U.S. economy (2019) Tourism Contribution
change adaptation and resiliency; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Despite the effects this work has, there are relatively few Extension and Sea Grant staff with dedicated tourism-related respon - sibilities. In a survey NET conducted to assess tourism-related programming nationally, they found that almost all of the 49 states that respond - ed reported needing additional capacity to develop and/or deliver tourism-related Extension pro - grams. The programs highlighted in this publica - tion— from Oregon State University, University of Georgia, Michigan State University, South Caroli - na Sea Grant Consortium, West Virginia Universi - ty, Utah State University, University of Minnesota, and University of Vermont—are models of what can happen when Extension teams have the re - sources to help their communities develop sustain - able tourism practices.
2.1% of GDP
$459.8 billion
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
8 The NET Effect | Extension Foundation/NTAE
Extension Foundation/NTAE | The NET Effect 9
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