Daily News Update, Feb. 7, 2008

Tourism in Texas only natural to be inventoried

A list of nature tourism operations in Texas is being compiled in order to help develop assistance for owners and awareness programs for users.

"This is being done in order to assess the growth and demand of the industry," said Miles Phillips, Texas AgriLife Extension Service nature tourism leader. "It will also help the traveling public find nature tourism businesses to enjoy."

The list will be an ongoing effort, he said, so that businesses can add information at any time.

An online form is available to encourage all nature tourism business operators to get their companies listed. The form is at http://naturetourism.tamu.edu.

"In addition to the traditional hunting and fishing places," Phillips said, "nature tourism businesses might include agricultural tours such as hayrides and pick-your-own produce, or adventure tour operations, including biking, paddling, canoeing, ATV trails and lodging facilities that cater to these markets."

For more information, contact Phillips, mdphillips@ag.tamu.edu, 979/845-1023, or Dr. Michael Schuett, AgriLife Extension specialist, mschuett@tamu.edu, 979/845-0872.