It comes as Macon-Bibb County continues the method of shopping for the positioning of the outdated Bibb Mill, simply exterior the park.
MACON, Ga. — After appearances on “Jeopardy!” and CBS Mornings this 12 months, Macon is once again in the national spotlight.
Fashionable journey journal Conde Nast Traveler known as it the most effective locations to journey in 2023. Gary Wheat with Go to Macon expects it’s going to have a big effect on tourism.
“These journey guides are issues that individuals by the thousands and thousands view,” Wheat mentioned.
That is why this 12 months, it was Go to Macon’s purpose to get journey writers to city.
“To be on-line and featured with plenty of great locations all over the world; not simply in America however all over the world, is kind of an honor, and one which we don’t take evenly,” Wheat mentioned.
He says a revitalized downtown and rising music tradition assist Macon stand out. The nightlife and Ocmulgee Mounds Nationwide Historic Park assist too. The park is the topic of the newest nationwide headline from Conde Nast Traveler. The highlight comes simply months after Macon-Bibb commissioners determined to purchase the positioning of the outdated Bibb Mill to develop the realm close to the park.
“I feel it is vital, as a result of that is a gateway into our neighborhood and a significant gateway into our tourism property, whether or not that is in east Macon at Ocmulgee, or the downtown hall the place plenty of our points of interest reside,” Wheat mentioned.
He says it’s going to put together Macon for an inflow of vacationers if the park turns into an official nationwide park.
“By the 12 months 2030, if we go to a nationwide park and protect, we are able to count on over one million guests a 12 months to the park,” Wheat mentioned.
Now, about 200,000 go to the park annually. Wheat says the rise is why there are plans for a brand new lodge within the improvement. They plan so as to add RV tons, too.
“You want good RV points of interest to carry them in and provides them a spot as a result of they’re RVers,” Wheat mentioned.
That is not all. He says they might additionally embody a tribute to Macon’s historical past.
“As we enter the bicentennial 12 months, we’re working with the bicentennial committee on that, what that appears like,” he mentioned.
Wheat says they might must get inventive with lodge area and have a look at different areas of Macon to account for the rise in vacationers. He says they might even contemplate re-purposing outdated downtown buildings.
County spokesman Chris Floore says they’re nonetheless planning to purchase the Bibb Mill property, however they’re within the ‘due diligence’ course of now. As soon as they end that, they’re going to full the acquisition and meet with builders to get began on a extra concrete plan.
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