If Sweetwater wants to become a destination for tour buses, it's not quiet as easy as it might sound, Monroe County Tourism Director Julie Morgan told the city's Interstate 75 Committee during the committee's March 10 meeting at the Magnuson Hotel.

Morgan said the tour bus industry is slowing down because Baby Boomers are now the large group of travelers. And they are not exactly jumping on buses for the group tour.
"They are very independent," Morgan said.

Morgan also said many cities are competing for the tour buses that do still run. The tourism director said she has gone to tour bus showcases for years, presenting Monroe County's attractions in hopes of getting tour bus companies to come here as they plan their travel schedule years in advance.
According to Morgan, the loss of the Cracker Barrel Restaurant hurts the city's chances of landing buses, as tour bus companies look for exits with places to stay and eat.

Morgan said it is very expensive for the county to send a representative to a tour bus showcase, but she still goes to the Travel South showcase.
Beyond that, it is not necessarily a great idea to go to lots of the showcases anymore, she said.
"If it is not going to pay off in the long run, why do it?" Morgan asked.
Mayor Doyle Lowe said he has plans under way to get the flea market more involved with the Interstate 75 Committee.

"That is a big, big asset to this exit," Lowe said.
The mayor also said he has written a letter to the Cracker Barrel's headquarters in Lebanon, asking them to come back to Sweetwater.
Lowe also encouraged everyone to attend the public hearing on the proposed new Highway 322. The hearing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 8 at Sweetwater Primary School's gym.

It might be a long shot, but the mayor said City Recorder Jessica Morgan has submitted a request seeking $40 million in federal funding for infrastructure grants for Sweetwater.
The mayor said the money may never come, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101.