ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Product Development team will gather in Hinesville Monday-Thursday as part of an initiative to assist Georgia communities in utilizing their resources to attract tourists to their area.

"Hinesville was selected by the Tourism Product Development Office to participate in the initiative following a Liberty County retreat held on Jekyll Island last year," said Bruce Green, tourism product development director with for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "The resource team program focuses on technical assistance in the form of a reconnaissance and strategy visit to a local community that is interested in further developing its tourism potential."

The four-day visit will include a tour of the commercial district and surrounding sites in the county and interview sessions with community stakeholders. The visit will conclude on Thursday with a summary meeting with representatives of the city, county, chamber and other organizations.

"In 2009, tourism generated more than $31.3 billion in total economic impact for the state, underscoring the industry’s significance in our state," said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "The Georgia tourism industry not only contributed more than $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue, but employed 234,000 Georgians during the same time period."

For more information, visit www.georgia.org.