Guest column/City Council has noted the importance of tourism

The board of trustees, staff, volunteers and members of the Old Fort Steuben Project want to thank the Steubenville City Council for Tuesday's decision to financially support our efforts to add public restrooms to the Visitor Center in Fort Steuben Park. These funds will help match other funding we hope to receive that will allow us to construct a much-needed addition to the building that will serve visitors and local residents.

This project is crucial as we expect an increase in tourism in the state and the area due to the recent designation of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks located in Licking, Ross and Warren counties to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Many of us have heard of these amazing mounds built by the Hopewell indigenous culture more than 1,500 years ago. Many were burial mounds that contain finely crafted art made of exotic materials as part of their sacred mortuary ceremonies. But few people are aware of the important work that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization does by its World Heritage Convention -- a widely accepted international conservation treaty -- that works to preserve important natural and man-made sites all over the world. Designated sites include the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Galapagos Islands, Grand Canyon, Independence Hall and now the Hopewell Earthworks in Ohio.

Travelers from all over the world visit these sites; some even give them priority on their lifetime "bucket lists." Those of us in Ohio's tourism industry have been aware of the possible designation and have been preparing to welcome these international travelers. The Steubenville Visitor Center is working with nine other county destination marketing organizations to develop itineraries and marketing efforts that will encourage visitors to include our local attractions in their state visits. We especially expect to see increased visitation to Historic Fort Steuben for our large display of Native American points and artifacts, some more than 1,000 years old.

So congratulations, City Council, for recognizing the importance of tourism as an economic driver.

(Bratten is assistant director of Historic Fort Steuben)