Perception vs. Reality

Hello Friends! I hope everyone is doing well. The Fall weather is on us now, and I’m dreading the cold of winter. 
Today, I want to talk about being authentic. Tourism can be very perceptive. A perception is what you think of someone or something. If we have 5,000 people at the park for the 4th of July, it’s a great event. We all know this is true, but it also gives a perception that it’s a tourism event if our board hosts it. 
Our 4th of July has never been a tourism but a community event with a small budget. The small budget is because you may just have 20 tourists in that crowd. A tourist is someone who doesn’t live in your community but comes to your community and spends money in your community. 
So, if you live in Burning Springs, you’re not a tourist. The one thing that I get asked more than anything is what a tourist is. If you drive here from London and don’t spend a dollar in this town, you’re not a tourist. 
People may perceive that you are, but you aren’t. If you drive here from Chattanooga and spend a couple of nights, you’re absolutely a tourist. I hope I’ve helped you understand the perception of tourists and the reality of tourists.
 If not, holler, and we can talk it over. Much Love Manchester!