National Geographic's "Guide to Appalachia" a full-color, fold-out map features more than 350 of Appalachia’s top cultural tourism destinations, including music, historical, cultural, and outdoor recreation sites. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and National Geographic created the map to support economic development in Appalachia through cultural and heritage tourism. The Map appeared in the April 2005 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

The project is the first of its kind and will be seen by the magazine’s 4 million subscribers as well as at visitors centers, chambers of commerce, libraries, schools and various other locations in the 13-state Appalachian region. In addition, the Web site www.nationalgeographic.com/appalachia [1] will feature articles, state tourism Web sites, links to related destinations, and an interactive map.

The project is also unique in that it promotes geotourism by creating a "sense of place," emphasizing the distinctiveness of its locale, beneficial to visitor and resident alike. Geotourism is defined as tourism that supports the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, heritage, aesthetics, and the well-being of its citizens.

The guide features many of this region's musical sites and events, including the BCMA museum, Carter Family Fold, Ralph Stanley Museum, Barr's Fiddle Shop, Blue Ridge Music Center, Old Time Fiddler's Convention, Wayne Henderson Festival, Virginia Highlands Festival, Todd General Store, Floyd Country Store, and the "Crooked Road."

More information . . . [2]

Click here [3] to read the article that appeared in the March 29, 2005 edition of the Johnson City Press following a press conference in Jonesboro, TN attended by Anne Pope, federal co-chairwoman of ARC and Commissioner Susan Whitaker of Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development.