Tasks of EDA and TourismWhile the tasks of an Economic Development Authority (EDA) and a tourism department are
disƟnct, they are highly interconnected and oŌen collaborate toward the same goal of fostering
local economic growth. An EDA focuses on the broad economic health of a community, while
tourism specifically works to aƩract visitors to generate revenue.
Economic Development Authority (EDA) tasks
An EDA's tasks are centered on creaƟng a robust and diverse local economy to increase
employment, expand the tax base, and improve residents' quality of life. This involves
working with exisƟng local businesses as well as aƩracƟng new ones.
Core tasks of an EDA include:
Business aƩracƟon and expansion: MarkeƟng the area to aƩract new companies to
relocate and expand and providing services to help exisƟng businesses grow.
Site development: Developing industrial parks and other commercial properƟes with the
necessary infrastructure (e.g., water, sewer, transportaƟon) to support business growth.
Workforce development: CollaboraƟng with educaƟon and job-training insƟtuƟons to
create a skilled labor pool that meets the needs of local industries.
Infrastructure improvement: SupporƟng broader infrastructure projects like broadband
expansion, which benefits the enƟre community.
IncenƟve programs: CreaƟng loan and grant programs to help new and exisƟng
businesses with financing.
MarkeƟng the community: PromoƟng the area's quality of life and business climate to
potenƟal businesses and residents.
Tourism department tasks
A tourism department focuses specifically on aƩracƟng visitors to a community to boost
visitor spending, which in turn supports local businesses and generates tax revenue.
Core tasks of a tourism department include:
MarkeƟng and promoƟon: Developing and implemenƟng campaigns that highlight local
aƩracƟons, events, culture, and outdoor recreaƟon to potenƟal tourists.
Visitor experience enhancement: Assessing and developing new tourism products,
aƩracƟons, and tour packages to create a more compelling visitor experience.
Events and fesƟvals: SupporƟng and markeƟng special events that draw both local and
out-of-town visitors.
Industry support: Working with local tourism-related businesses, like hotels, restaurants,
and tour operators, to help them thrive.
Data collecƟon: Compiling visitor data, economic impact reports, and other tourism-
related staƟsƟcs to measure results and inform strategy.
Stakeholder collaboraƟon: Serving as a liaison between tourism businesses and other
local organizaƟons, including the EDA.
The symbioƟc relaƟonship
While separate, the work of an EDA and a tourism department significantly overlaps. Many
jurisdicƟons merge these two funcƟons into a single department to improve efficiency.
Key areas of collaboraƟon include:
Infrastructure development: Infrastructure built to support businesses (EDA task) also
enhances the visitor experience (tourism task). This includes airports, transportaƟon,
and broadband.
Branding and markeƟng: A posiƟve brand image for a community, promoted by the
tourism department, also helps the EDA aƩract businesses and talent.
Small business support: Visitor spending directly supports local small businesses, a core
focus for both organizaƟons.
Quality of life: A thriving tourism sector improves quality of life for residents by offering
more ameniƟes, which helps the EDA retain and aƩract workers.