Forks Washington on the Olympic Peninsula
Another Big Year for Forks
What a perfect way to start off the New Year! This article from the Peninsula Daily News runs down some of the ice-hot local tourism statistics for 2009. Among other things, the numbers show that over 70,000 people stopped in at our Forks Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center last year. That's about a 400% increase from the record we set in 2008! Wow! Let's keep it going--now is an ideal time to plan a trip to Forks--there's more to see and do than ever before. We're looking forward to setting new records in 2010. Don't Let Forks Suck . . .
We couldn't help noticing this guest op-ed piece from the Seattle Times, titled "Don't let Twilight suck the life out of Forks." It's written by Emerson Richards, a college student from Florida who has apparently visited Forks a couple of times in the past and now declares it to be her favorite town. Her main point is that folks should visit Forks because of the natural beauty of our area--not because it's where the Twilight saga is set. OK, fair enough, but isn't that a little like saying that folks should visit Florida for the natural beauty and endangered species found in the Everglades--not because it's where Disney World is located? In any event, we're getting a few chuckles out of the reader comments at the end of the article, including a comment from "Mudflow" in Sappho (right down the road from Forks), who assures Ms. Richards that she--along with everybody else--is welcome here, suggesting "bring your fantasies and your cash and your raingear and let others bring theirs."
What do you think? Is Twilight sucking the life out of Forks? Or adding to the fun?
Is it Safe to Go Camping?
Forks continues to be “front and center” in the area of Twilight tourism! Thanks to Paige Dickerson and the Peninsula Daily News for another great article describing this incredible phenomena and its impact on Forks, LaPush and the West End. Despite our popularity, our community continues to wholeheartedly welcome Twilighters, along with all visitors. Come check out what everyone is talking about about! [We're still wondering what the answer is to the question about whether it's safe to camp with the "vampire problem" we have out here . . .
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TravelingMamas.com–the popular travel blog specializing in places to go for families with children–recently visited Forks, LaPush and the West End. This post from their blog green-lights our area as a great place for families to visit, especially those with “cranky, out-of-sorts teenager(s).” While we’ve got to say that the young ladies and gentlemen we’ve seen visiting with their families seem anything but “surly,” we’ve got a hunch MudslideMama knows from experience what happens during those loooong car rides when Dad starts discussing things like the anthropological history of the area . . . .
Twilight Tourism Talk
Twilight tourism is definitely heating up here in Forks and the West End! This Peninsula Daily News video taken at yesterdays Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce meeting features several speakers, including our own Forks Chamber of Commerce Director, Marcia Bingham. The focus of the meeting was Twilight and the related tourism boost it has provided. Marcia presents interesting statistics and humorous anecdotes from her perspective on the front lines of the “Twilight Zone.” We all continue to be absolutely delighted to see the droves of happy tourists visiting our area!
“Vampire Tourism” is the latest craze in Forks and and the rest of the Olympic Peninsula. And it’s working! The Peninsula Daily News reports in this article from Sunday, October 12th, that “the allure of vampire dreams delivered a 48-percent increase in lodging tax revenue for Forks . . . .”
© 2010 Forks Chamber of Commerce, Inc.