FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - The Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission says that with manufacturing on the decline in the city it is important for the community to build its brand as a tourist attraction.
The group's budget is to be presented on Tuesday. The document proposes spending $800,000, with a focus on spending in areas of travel and advertising.
The Southwest Times Record reports (http://is.gd/LLDQob ) that hotel tax receipts rose by 6.4 percent in the past year and occupancy grew by 12.2 percent.
The spending plan proposes targeting visitors of retirement age, promoting motorcycle travel and developing itineraries that portray Fort Smith as the starting point from which visitors could launch a series of day trips.
The city is working to develop its riverfront, where the U.S. Marshals Museum is to be built.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)