By Staff
Ask someone in the area what attracts people here and that person likely will mention several things rather quickly — historical sites such as Bath, Washington’s waterfront, Hyde County’s Ocracoke Beach and the fishing on the Roanoke River at Plymouth.
Well, add the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center just outside Williamston in Martin County to that list. The center is becoming a favorite place for the equestrian set. Since it opened in 2000, the center has worked hard to attract more equestrian-related competitions and shows. That work is paying off.
Last week, the center broke ground for a new barn to handle the increase in equestrian events coming there. Martin County officials and the center’s manager believe the addition to the center will help bring additional revenue to Martin County and neighboring areas.
At at time when it appears the nation’s economy may be entering a recession, that’s good news for the area.
Domestic tourism in Martin County generated $26.54 million in economic impact in 2006, a 9.2 percent increase over 2005, according to data from a statewide study prepared for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development by the Travel Industry Association of America. Last summer, when those figures came out, Adams cited two key factors behind the increase.
If the center continues attracting those quality horse shows, then Martin County should ramp up its marketing of the center and promote the center as one of the best facilities on the East Coast for holding equestrian events.
Martin County should get some help in promoting the center. With hotel and motel rooms in Williamston at a limited number, the Washington Tourism Development Authority should help promote the center and what Washington has to offer. If people attending multi-day events at the center can’t find lodging in Williamston, they can find that lodging — and much more — just 25 miles away in Washington. The North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development should increase its promotion of the center, too.
For years, the area’s history, rivers, sounds and recreational opportunities have attracted people, people who spend time and money. It appears the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center and the equestrian events it attracts are becoming a major attraction, too. Martin County and its neighbors must take advantage of the center’s growth.
When it comes to the traditional attractions in the area, the center may be a horse of a different color. It’s time to add the horse of a different color to the tourism stable.