Tourism Strategic Plan for Lewis-Clark Valley: A Full Analysis
This paper presents a comprehensive tourism strategic plan for Lewis-Clark Valley, encompassing the cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. Drawing on secondary research and established strategic management frameworks, the paper reviews the valley's historical and geographic context, applies an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix to assess opportunities and threats, and conducts an internal audit of strengths and weaknesses. The analysis evaluates the valley's 2012 tourism vision through the stages of strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for marketing campaigns, off-season promotion, workforce training, and cultural heritage development to strengthen the region's position as a competitive tourism destination.
- Introduction to Lewis-Clark Valley: Geography, history, and tourism economic overview
- Strategic Planning Process and Literature Review: Three-stage strategic management model and benefits
- Strategic Management Tools and External Factor Evaluation: EFE Matrix applied to valley tourism program
- Internal Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses: Valley's internal strengths and operational weaknesses
- Strategic Implementation Plan: Action steps for tourism bureau and marketing
- Recommendations and Conclusion: Priority strategies for sustainable tourism growth
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What makes this paper effective
- Grounds abstract strategic management theory in a specific geographic and economic context, making concepts immediately applicable to a real tourism destination.
- Uses a structured analytical tool — the EFE Matrix — to quantify external factors, lending credibility and systematic rigor to the assessment.
- Balances theoretical literature review with practical action steps, bridging academic frameworks and applied policy recommendations.
- Clearly separates financial and non-financial benefits of strategic planning, demonstrating awareness of multiple stakeholder perspectives.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied strategic management analysis: it imports a recognized business framework (David's three-stage strategic management model) and systematically maps it onto a public-sector tourism context. The EFE Matrix table with weighted scores is a strong example of translating qualitative judgments into a defensible quantitative format, a technique widely used in business strategy coursework.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with geographic and economic background, then transitions into a literature review of strategic management theory. It next explains analytical tools (EFE Matrix, IFE concepts) before applying them to the valley. An internal audit of strengths and weaknesses follows, succeeded by a concrete implementation plan. The paper closes with prioritized recommendations tied directly back to the earlier SWOT findings, creating a logical full-circle argument.
Introduction to Lewis-Clark Valley
Lewis-Clark Valley is the scenic region encompassing Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. The historical background of this valley is rich in cultural stories and its own heritage dating back to the 18th century. The area was long inhabited by the Nez Perce people, who traveled to and settled throughout the valley and along its rivers. The valley takes its name from the 1805 visit of Corps of Discovery explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who arrived here and were welcomed warmly by the native people. This meeting and warm welcome fostered good relations with the land and its people, and the valley was eventually named after the two explorers. Lewis-Clark Valley is historically the land of miners, merchants, railroaders, millworkers, and farmers. Its geographical location is approximately 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean, at the convergence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers.
The cities of Lewiston, Clarkston, and Asotin are in modern times recognized as gateways to Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge. The region offers a wide range of recreational activities, including jet boating, white-water rafting, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. Lewis-Clark Valley is considered a recreational paradise enriched with cultural heritage and natural beauty. Because of its mild winter climate — which allows year-round golfing, snow skiing, and snowmobiling — the area has also been nicknamed the "Banana Belt" of the Pacific Northwest.
Because of its unique geographic location combined with natural beauty and a broad array of recreational activities, Lewis-Clark Valley has long been a center of tourism and visitor attraction. Economic surveys indicate that in 2004 tourists spent $126.1 million in the Lewis-Clark Valley. This high volume of tourism supported many businesses, created employment opportunities by generating 2,040 direct jobs, and contributed approximately $7.75 million in state tax revenue (Valley Vision Economic Development Lewis-Clark Valley, 2007). Tourism promotion has improved the valley's infrastructure, providing a high quality of life for its inhabitants and spurring new and creative business opportunities.
The Lewis-Clark Valley is full of remarkable tourist sites with great potential for growth in recreational activities and tourism promotion. The following strategic plan critically analyzes the tourism vision for 2012 by reviewing goals and strategies, evaluating responses to those goals, and providing recommended solutions for the valley's tourism development in view of its geographic and demographic identities, responsibilities, and resource allocation.
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