Tourism Development for the Upstate

By Brittany Rothenbach

Published: August 27, 2008

Despite these natural treasures, the Upstate still lags noticeably behind the South Carolina’s Lowcountry and other surrounding regions in the area of tourism.  According to the South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, less than one in 10 visits to the Upstate are undertaken for leisure purposes, compared to 21 percent for the state as a whole.

Local and state tourism leaders have in recent years begun to develop plans for making the Upstate a more attractive and well-known visitor destination.  In 2003, the South Carolina Competitiveness Initiative laid out a comprehensive recommendation for enhancing tourism in the state.  The state contracted with Tourism Development International (TDI), an Irish firm specializing in feasibility studies and strategic planning for the tourism industry, to develop a Tourism Action Plan that called, in part, for the creation of new tourist offerings to attract a broader array of visitors.

TDI’s recommendations for downtown included enhancing Greenville’s Heritage Green complex into a vibrant cultural district by attracting retail and residential development to complement the area’s artistic offerings.  The firm also proposed improving accessibility throughout the downtown area through pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, connecting walkways and bridges, and perhaps a low-impact transport solution like a light-rail or trolley system.  But the cornerstone of TDI’s vision for downtown Greenville was the creation of the GO Experience, an entirely new type of tourist center whose name was inspired by the two visitor assets the facility is meant to connect:  Greenville and the Outdoors.
The GO Experience, to be developed at the 1.2-acre site of Klingman Williams Inc. on River Street behind the Peace Center, is envisioned to include active and passive displays of the region’s tourist offerings; live artists, craft workers and performers; simulations of such outdoor activities as rock climbing or kayaking; and an Activities Concierge where visitors can plan outdoor adventures along with urban experiences.

The TDI plan suggested three enhancements to the Upstate’s bounty of amenities related to enjoying the outdoors.  First was a proposal to improve the viewing opportunities atop Caesar’s Head, perhaps with the addition of such visitor-friendly features as improved signage and a restaurant overlooking the mountain vistas.  Any such improvements would fall to the state’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, which runs the facility.
Next came a recommendation for upscale accommodations and related amenities in the Upstate’s mountain region.  TDI proffered a resort-style development, which might include fine dining and spa facilities along with nature trails and other outdoor recreation.  Private investors would be the most likely source of any such development, though the public sector could certainly take an active role in pursuing such partners.
Last, but certainly not least, was TDI’s vision for an adventure activity center, where visitors could both learn about and experience the many wondrous recreational offerings of the surrounding area.  The Blue Wall Centre, named for the escarpment that gives the region its enduring visual identity, would take full advantage of its bucolic location by offering demonstrations and classes in fishing, climbing and various water sports.  The 178-acre facility, planned on the former Camp Spearhead site on Highway 11, would include retail and dining components along with information on how to access all the recreational opportunities nearby.