Local tourism officials excited for new Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation

Johnson City, Tenn. (WJHL) — Tri-Cities tourism leaders say the newly announced Office of Outdoor Recreation in Tennessee is likely to make a big impact on the Northeast area of the state.

Governor Bill Lee announced the creation of the office, which will operate under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, to improve access to the state’s natural resources as well as improve conservation efforts.

“This office will help us leverage Tennessee’s unparalleled natural resources and beauty to improve our quality of life and create lasting memories for Tennessee families and visitors,” Lee said in a statement.

One day into the job, the office’s executive director, Brian Clifford, said he was ready for cities and counties to reach out for help.

“We will be a resource for communities across the state to help them better leverage their outdoor spaces to grow tourism, improve their economy, and improve their quality of life,” Clifford told News Channel 11.

Northeast Tennessee tourism leaders said they’re on board with that mission and that the office could be a great help to an already important industry.

“Outdoor recreation and just the environment in which we live in is one of the main reasons folks come to visit,” said Alicia Phelps, director of Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. “So it’s a huge component of our industry that’s almost $1 billion in Northeast Tennessee alone”

Though our area is already making great use of its outdoor resources through greenways like the Tweetsie Trail and events like the Meet the Mountains festival, Phelps is eager to see how much further our region can go.

“Once this department is fully put together and we’re rolling on the ground with, you know, feet on the ground with what we can see happen as part of it, it will be really exciting,” Phelps said.

The new office’s focus is on creating more blueways, or river access corridors. Luke Freeman, Carter County and Elizabethton tourism director said this aligns well with his goals and projects like Surf Betsy .

“The great thing we’ve got the Doe River right here and of course, the Watauga River as well, which are very popular for paddle sports, fishing, all that kind of thing,” Freeman told News Channel 11. “I think having additional support from the state as we try and market those as well as just as what locals enjoy on is a great thing.”

The office will also provide grants and strategic planning assistance for communities around the state.

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