Tourism office unveils plan to polish Delaware's image

Delaware tourism officials unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic plan May 8 that takes dead aim at what travel experts call the state's "nonimage" as a tourist destination.

"We have what we think is a framework here for our future success," Kela Benefield, director of the Delaware Tourism

"Tourism is currently one of Delaware's most productive industries, but up to this point, surrounding states have been experiencing a much more rapid growth in this area."

The plan, developed by consultant Nichols Gilstrap Inc. as part of a three-phase report on the state of Delaware tourism and its potential, comes on the heels of an analysis in which NGI determined the state's basic framework supporting tourism is not structured for success.

"The overwhelming consensus of travel industry leaders surveyed by NGI is that Delaware suffers from a nonimage," the analysis said. "This is not a good sign for the future as an increasing number of (other) destinations are expected to elevate their ability to sustain positive images."