Interested in making a little extra $$ offering your unique skills or knowledge of Madison County?

Are you interested in making a little extra $$$ by offering your unique skills or knowledge of Madison County to visitors?

An information session will take place on February 4 from 2-5 p.m. at Zuma in downtown Marshall.

People First Tourism is a project to connect micro-business people to visitors interested in unique and genuine travel experiences.

People-First Tourism focuses on connecting socially conscious travelers with locally owned small businesses. Currently, access to tourism markets is controlled by large outside corporations and government agencies that impose resource regulations on small entrepreneurs. These approaches alienate communities from their natural and cultural resources and prevent individuals to pursue sustainable and dignified livelihoods.

Local Entrepreneurs – interested in offering micro to small scale tourism products:

Ambitious individuals who offer authentic services but have experienced difficulties in reaching customers/visitors, can now use the People-First Tourism system to try to access tourist markets globally. The only requirements for participation are to be endorsed and coached by an empowerment partner and to own a cell phone.

Examples of what you could offer:

Guided trips to fishing holes

Farm tours

Tours of your town

Themed tours around a special interest: history, music, literature, poetry

Craft tours or classes highlighting your art

Hosted by the Very Small Business Center of the Town of Marshall and NCSU People First Tourism.

The session is absolutely FREE, but registration is required. To register contact Jennifer Flynn marshallncstep@gmail.com, 828-649-3031.