ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT Nature Tourism Business Incubator SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK - DECEMBER 2004 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................1 Background................................................................................................................................. 1 Projection of Successful Businesses ........................................................................................... 1 Business Needs and Supports .....................................................................................................2 Incubator Concept and Structure ................................................................................................ 2 Facility-based Incubator.............................................................................................................. 3 Pennsylvania WILDS Business Development Network............................................................. 3 Facility Oversight........................................................................................................................ 4 Visitation and potential economic benefit to the Pennsylvania WILDS .................................... 4 Incubator Feasibility Analysis .................................................................................................... 5 TASK 1: Prepare projection of suitable business types most likely to succeed.6 A. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................6 Background................................................................................................................................. 6 Purpose of Task........................................................................................................................... 6 Summary Findings...................................................................................................................... 6 B. ASSESSMENTS ..................................................................................................8 Inventory of Nature-based Businesses........................................................................................ 8 Interviews with Nature-based Businesses................................................................................... 8 Review of Research .................................................................................................................... 8 Visitor Characteristics and Economic Impacts........................................................................... 9 C. RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................10 Guide Services .......................................................................................................................... 10 Outdoor Outfitters/Livery ......................................................................................................... 11 Educational Facility/Artisan Guild ........................................................................................... 12 Retail Sales (general and specialty) .......................................................................................... 13 Seasonal Considerations ........................................................................................................... 14 TASK 2: Prepare program of incentives to stimulate growth of nature tourism businesses (new and start-up or existing business expansion)...........................15 A. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................15 Background............................................................................................................................... 15 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 15 B. BUSINESS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........16 Findings..................................................................................................................................... 16 Financial Needs......................................................................................................................... 16 Low cost loans and grants..................................................................................................... 16 Business Management .............................................................................................................. 16 Technical assistance.............................................................................................................. 16 Human resources................................................................................................................... 17 Insurance............................................................................................................................... 17 Marketing and Promotion ......................................................................................................... 18 Maps and guides ................................................................................................................... 18 Facilities.................................................................................................................................... 19 Lodging................................................................................................................................. 19 1FERMAT A Inc. C. COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT ........................................................20 TASK 3-4: Design nature tourism business incubator concept and develop structure and procedures for administration......................................................22 A. APPROACH ......................................................................................................22 B. RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................23 General Information.................................................................................................................. 23 Owner/Builder........................................................................................................................... 27 Reception area:...................................................................................................................... 28 Business Office/Storage Space: ............................................................................................ 28 Training space/classroom: .................................................................................................... 29 Demonstrations/Events: ........................................................................................................ 29 Administration .......................................................................................................................... 29 Tenant recruitment:............................................................................................................... 29 Tenant application:................................................................................................................ 30 Tenant interviews:................................................................................................................. 31 Lease signing and performance reviews:.............................................................................. 31 Operations................................................................................................................................. 31 Tourist services:.................................................................................................................... 31 Gift shop: .............................................................................................................................. 32 Maintenance.............................................................................................................................. 33 Janitorial:............................................................................................................................... 33 Building maintenance: .......................................................................................................... 33 Programming............................................................................................................................. 33 Natural resources: ................................................................................................................. 33 Arts activities (classes, demonstrations, workshops):........................................................... 34 Support...................................................................................................................................... 34 Training Support:.................................................................................................................. 34 Marketing Support: ............................................................................................................... 35 Office Support:...................................................................................................................... 35 Financial and grant writing support:..................................................................................... 36 Insurance:.............................................................................................................................. 36 TASK 5: Analyze project feasibility.....................................................................37