TxDOT travel study group will visit Burnet
The 25 delegates representing TxDOT are on a five-day tour of the northern Hill Country, scouting area attractions for a training guide that will be distributed to more than 2.5 million travelers and tourists across the state.
The stop in Burnet includes a meal at Tea-Licious Tea Room on the historic downtown Square, complete with some rock ’n’ roll sure to evoke feelings of nostalgia. City officials are urging the public to attend.
Last month, Burnet’s Economic Development Coordinator Crista Bromley sent out an e-mail “blast” to area businesses asking for their help preparing for the group’s visit.
“The response was tremendous,” Bromley said. “This is such a great opportunity for us to put forth a positive face for the city of Burnet and to highlight the quality and quantity of attractions on behalf of this area.”
The information gathered by the group will be used at the state’s travel centers.
“Our Texas travel centers are located on the primary perimeters of the state,” said Doris Houdeshell, the director of TxDOT’s travel division. “The travel counselors serve as ambassadors to tourists in Texas and help people pull the information they need.”
The counselors are asked to think like a tourist as they gather data.
“Their job is to see and do what the tourists will do, and then they are assigned to write a report to share with counselors and tourists alike,” Houdeshell said. “They go back to their own travel centers around the state and disperse the information they’ve gathered.”
Houdeshell said it’s necessary to alternate travel counselors for the yearly study from a variety of travel centers.
Some of the other destinations include Llano, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Johnson City, Blanco, Wimberley, Austin, Georgetown and Bastrop.
Travel arrangements for the study group are made with the cooperation of the Texas Travel Industry Association. Its members include professionals from businesses, associations and organizations dedicated to stimulating the Texas travel industry.
A number of local business are dedicated to making a unique impression the travel counselors won’t soon forget, officials said.
On Oct. 22, the study group will have a special dinner and dance at Tea-Licious, 216 Main St.; spend the night at the Best Western hotel; and breakfast the next morning at the Christmas Cafe, compliments of ReMAX Realty of Burnet.
During their stay, some of the attractions the counselors will sample include The Vanishing Texas River Cruise, Canyon of the Eagles and a bus tour around area lakes and Longhorn Cavern State Park.
Sam and Vicki McLeod, owners of Tea-Licious, are hosting a “Back to the ’50s Street Dance & Dinner.” The dinner features hamburgers, shakes, fries and drinks. Live music will be provided by disc jockey Richard Miller, who will play classic tunes from the 1950s and 1960s.
Adding to the fun, members of the “Lakes Area Rods & Classics Car Club” will be attending the event with a display of their cars on Main Street surrounding the tables and dance area.
“Every year TxDOT sponsors the event, and it just so happens Burnet was chosen this year as a stop on the tour,” Sam McLeod said. “What we’re trying to do is have a Burnet and Llano county collaboration for area travel businesses. The public is invited to attend, and the more people we can get involved, the better. Anyone who benefits or is interested in the tourism industry in our area should be interested in this event.”
Admission for the dinner and dance is $17.50 per person or $120 for a table of eight, taxes not included. The event will kick off with a “Meet the Counselors Wine Social” at 5:30 p.m. and the dance will continue until 10 p.m.
Tickets are available by calling Tea-Licious at (512) 756-4405 or e-mail lucy@tstar.net.
According to Bromley, contributions are still needed for 25 goodie bags to be presented to the counselors. Those wishing to donate can contact her at (512) 715-3217 or the Burnet Chamber of Commerce at (512) 756-4297.
byoung@thepicayune.com