May 10--RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Some came for free hot dogs and popcorn, others were stopping for a rest room or beverage break and were drawn in by the music -- just as organizers had hoped.

Friday's "Georgia on My Mind" event at the Georgia Visitor Center here kicked off National Tourism Week.

Promoters and business owners from across the state set up at the "Gateway to Georgia" to let tourists know each of Georgia's 159 counties has something special.

"It is important because people because people don't realize what all Georgia has to offer," center manager Elaine Watkins said. "We have mountains, we have the ocean, we have beaches, big cities, small towns. We've got it all."

It also has Interstate 75, one of the nation's busiest stretches of highway, and a main reason why Catoosa County, where I-75 enters the Peach State, calls itself Georgia's gateway.

Chicago resident Susan Rizzo and her husband, Leo, were traveling I-75 to Emory University for her daughter's graduation when they stopped at the center.

"I didn't know there was a coastal area," Mrs. Rizzo said. "And, I didn't know a whole lot about the Blue Ridge Mountains, so it has kind of expanded my awareness."

She only wished she had learned all that four years ago when her daughter started college, so they could have seen some of the sights during trips to Emory, she said.

"There are a couple of places I wouldn't mind coming back to," Mrs. Rizzo said, noting the family will still consider Georgia is a good vacation option.

Tourism is Georgia's second largest industry, after agriculture, and it has widespread benefits and great impact on individual communities and the state as a whole, officials said.

Stephanie Snodgrass, director of tourism for the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, said when visitors like the Rizzos stop at a Georgia attraction, there is an important economic impact.

Mary Smitherman, with the LaFayette Marsh House, said she understands not all visitors will be able to stop by the historic home this weekend, but she hopes they remember it during their next trip to the area.

Heritage tourism -- travel to visit sites and structures important to history -- is important to many Georgia promoters seeking to attract visitors.

Mrs. Smitherman said heritage tourism's impact will become increasingly apparent as the September anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga approaches, and leading up to the 150th Commemoration of the Civil War, which will begin in 2011.

A HISTORY OF SPENDING

Ms. Snodgrass said heritage tourists tend to stay longer and spend more money. Many cities in Northwest Georgia, such as Chickamauga and LaFayette, have been working to position themselves as heritage tourism destinations.

The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of them baby boomers seek to mix travel with learning about the past, officials said.

Chickamauga City Manager John Culpepper said he has worked hard to make his town the "Gettysburg of the South." He said many retirees want to travel the country and share with their grandchildren knowledge of the nation's history and a glimpse into small-town America.

The heritage tourist is interested in local tradition, not the traditional attraction, officials said. They want to eat local barbecue or stay in a historic house that's now a bed and breakfast.

"They want the Civil War, they want small events," Ms. Snodgrass said. "They want it to feel like home, and to get away from the city."

the economy

With fuel and travel costs at record high levels, Georgia officials are hoping a cure to the economic pinch on travel will be for region residents to look to nearby attractions and resources for the vacation destinations.

Mrs. Smitherman said the recently restored Marsh House, built LaFayette in the late 1830s, is already seeing an increase in tourist numbers.

"We are opening the house most every weekend for tourists," she said. "We are gradually growing."

Promoters see tourism as a way to help local economies, so steps are being taken to help or attract travelers.

Ms. Watkins said each of Georgia's 11 visitor centers has wireless Internet access used to guide visitors through the state, hoping that if they stop for a break and surf the Web, the Georgia home page will give them a reason to stay longer.

Friday's tourism day had the same goal -- to hook travelers on Georgia, Ms. Snodgrass said.

"People are stopping by and saying, 'We've heard of Chickamauga, we've heard of LaFayette. What else is there to see if I do come visit? Can you tell me where to stay?'"

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