After several years of vacationing locally, I was blessed last month with an opportunity to hop on a plane seeking new adventures and visit a little island in the south Caribbean for some scuba diving. A small group of students, wide-eyed with enthusiasm, had studied new skills; got ahead at work and made plans at home; in preparation to be away in a foreign land. None of us on the trip had been there before and what we found there makes each of us look forward to our return.
The island of Utila is a melting pot of people who have come from many directions, and have decided to simplify their life. Tourism is vital to the local economy there and recreational diving is at the core. Everything not made or grown on this island of about 20 square miles has to be flown over on small planes or by boat from the mainland. The Internet is scarce and slow when you can access it and the showers seldom hold their temperature for long. Originally the logistical challenges of the acquisition of basic resources, including sunscreen, shampoo and even fresh water, was something I’d not considered before in my day to day life. When I placed myself in the shoes (or more often flip-flops) of the locals, I once again found myself comforted by the fact that some of the happiest people find comfort in the simplest of things and actually require very little. I soon understood it was the genuine kindness of nearly everyone there that mattered most.
We live in some of the best cities in north Georgia and our tourism industry is booming as well as we build new attractions, recreational centers and multi-use communities. Our small towns are growing and bustling with life and opportunities for growth and we are being recognized for our livability nationally. Let’s remember that the most important thing we have to show our visitors is our hospitality, our willingness to help each other and our happiness. Let’s keep building on these simple things. Positive people attract positive people and keep them coming back for more.
to your business!