The Times News

AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED

Thousands of people from every section of the United States are being attracted to North Carolina by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Travel statistics of the Park service show the figures and a visitor to the Park will see on every side ample evidence of the large volume of tourist traffic which is passing through that area this Summer. One going into the Park does not have to be told that people in great numbers are going there. They are seen everywhere.

Now, it is true, of course, that a large majority of the visitors are residents of other sections of the country, who will see the wonders of the Park and other mountain sections and return to their homes. They are visitors who are not looking for new locations. They are not prospective citizens of the mountain country of North Carolina. However, a proportion of all who come may be attracted to this State and section sufficiently to become citizens.

Hendersonville and this section of the mountain country is interested in this class of visitors, while it is fully realized here that we may expect to reap but sparingly of the direct benefits of the development of the Park and the great flow of tourist traffic which will come to that immediate section in the future. This town and section has something to offer visitors who are disposed to become citizens of North Carolina. The practical problem for the Chamber of Commerce is that of contacting visitors who come to the Park.

The Times-News mentions the matter with the view of arousing the interest of our people and inducing the commercial organization to take effective action promptly. Opportunities are lost every day action is delayed. Some of the stream of visitors from all sections of the country which is now pouring into the Park can be diverted into this section. There is present and future profit for us in the development of these contacts. We urge our people to active consideration of the matter.