Tourism Alliance Meets Again On Thursday, March 24

WAITSBURG - The Touchet Valley Tourism Alliance has scheduled its next meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, at the Waitsburg Business Center.

Members of the alliance, which is made up of business representatives but open to local government agencies, nonprofits and residents, are expected to hear from Andrew Holt. The representative of Tourism Walla Walla will brief the group on the Superhost program, intended to make small businesses better prepared to deal with travelers and tourists.

They are also joined by Joe and Lisa Petrello, owners of Dream Ride Walla, which has served the Walla Walla Valley, Tri Cities, Waitsburg and Dayton with tours and charter transportation since 2007.

The alliance has been interested in exploring more afternoon and/or all-day packages to the Touchet Valley that combine wine tasting, shopping and dining in the area.

In addition, the alliance will get an update on the concept of Fridays At The Park/Wait's Market, an initiative by a small group of Waitsburg residents and the city to organize a weekly seasonal farmers market with entertainment and activities in Preston Park.

Although that group has decided it is not feasible to launch the weekly market for the upcoming season, it may explore the possibility of hosting at least one market event this summer to try it out based on the success of last year's turnkey Cycle Oregon market.

Other alliance efforts include contributions to the upcoming " Destination Touchet Valley" visitor's guide that will be published in early April by the Times and the Blue Mountain News, and distributed throughout Southeast Washington to create more awareness for the Touchet Valley.