MORAVIA — Tourism officials from nine counties in southern Iowa gathered on Tuesday at the Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake to discuss plans to jointly market southern Iowa and the Historic Hills corridor. Counties included in the Historic Hills corridor and participating at the meeting included Appanoose, Davis, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne, Wapello and Van Buren.

Steve Illum, a professor of tourism and recreation for more than 21 years, traveled from Missouri State University in Springfield to speak to the assembled tourism and chamber of commerce representatives about how to develop tourism in rural areas.

According to Tracy Daugherty, executive director of Chariton Valley Planning and Development Council of Governments which hosted the forum, rural tourism has different challenges and opportunities as compared to more urban areas. Illum has worked with a rural tourism focus since 1979 when he graduated from Texas A&M.

“To see tourism advocates from such a large district in Iowa come together to support the investments at Rathbun Lake is extremely encouraging,” says Daugherty. “The chambers of commerce and tourism representatives recognize that it is in everyone’s best interests to jointly promote the tourism amenities that we have to tour groups, hunters, recreational travelers, and the family consumer markets.”

Illum has published numerous articles in tourism journals and magazines. Additionally, Illum has spoken at numerous national and global tourism conferences with his primary interest in helping areas develop rural and heritage tourism. 

“He’s developed a rural equestrian and heritage park, worked with several rural heritage tourism groups, developed heritage tourism plans, and assisted small communities and attractions in acquiring funds and in-kind contributions for the advancement of rural and heritage tourism,” explained Daugherty. “We are fortunate Dr. Illum accepted the request to meet with our counties.”

Central Iowa Tourism Region, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, provided funding to support Dr. Illum’s consultation with the Historic Hills counties.