Thorpe businesses looking ahead

Two months after the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway ceased operations in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County’s tourism-related businesses aren’t dwelling on the past.

“We’re not going to wait for something to happen one way or another. We’re just moving forward with our plans, and adjusting accordingly,” said Jen Christman, whose business Mauch Chunk Events promotes festivals throughout the year in Jim Thorpe.

On Wednesday, the tourism committee of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation held its quarterly meeting. It was the first meeting since the scenic railroad stopped running rail excursions in the Lehigh Gorge out of Jim Thorpe.

The tourism committee includes representatives from resorts and owners of businesses located everywhere from Palmerton to Lake Harmony.

Even though the train was in the news last week with Tamaqua hoping to attract more passenger trains from LGSR’s owners, there were more pressing issues on the agenda.

The group discussed its efforts to promote the county’s tourism-related businesses online, the Francis Walter Dam, and an ongoing survey which will be used to help the committee choose a replacement for the county’s current slogan: Find Your Fun.

Following the meeting, members of the tourism committee had mixed opinions on whether the departure of the train would affect their business. But they said they weren’t standing still in the meantime.

“Was it great to have it? Yes, but things change and the community is changing right along with it,” said Alice Wanamaker of the Carbon County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

Christman said there is no denying that the train led to an increase of foot traffic in Jim Thorpe, which was good for businesses and restaurants. But there were also several businesses in town who said that their first December without the train was their best ever.

“I think it’s too soon to tell, really,” Christman said.

Patricia Handwerk, owner of the Harry Packer Mansion, said she also heard that the month of December was good for businesses in Jim Thorpe. She said for her personally, the train was not a big factor in attracting guests to her business.

“As a business owner, I feel for anyone who feels like they’re affected. I want everybody to be successful. But personally, it did not affect us,” she said.

Gemma Dohinog, who operates vacation rentals in the Jim Thorpe area, said she believes the loss of the train is hurting tourism in the area. She said anything that attracts tourists to the area is good for her business. She said the closure of the Glen Onoko Falls trail has also been a detriment to the area’s tourism.

“We need that back. I like to tell my guests that we have a lot of things going on here,” she said.

The chamber said their end of the LGSR does not mean that there are zero trains running through the area. At least one passenger train will roll through town, for a running race on the D&L Trail on May 17.

Meanwhile, the tourism committee is preparing to continue promoting the county’s tourism businesses in 2020.

That includes replacing the slogan. Dina Tulli Davis, chairman of the tourism committee, shared some of the study’s early responses with committee members.

They are also finalizing updates to the visitor’s guide, a print publication which lists virtually every attraction or tourism-related business in the county.

She said the chamber plans to do more to promote the area online this year, with help from their partner Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. PMVB officials are gearing up to promote Pocono Mountains Restaurant Month, starting in April.

“PMVB has been a great partner for what we’re doing. They are also promoting Carbon County,” Davis said.

The tourism committee meets quarterly, with the next meeting in April.

The chamber’s survey is available online through Thursday at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07egug2pa6k5457tz3/a01cfk5rb1jcg/greeting