Gatlinburg Chamber introduces New program to combat unwelcome solicitations

The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce realizes that Time-Share has the potential to be an affordable vacation alternative for many and that they continue to contribute to the growth of Gatlinburg but the continual offering of these promotions by OPCs on the streets of Gatlinburg can often lead to a bad experience for our visitors. Due to frequent complaints received from visitors by the Chamber and City about the repetitiveness and behavior of those who solicit on the city streets, the Chamber has created a program that will allow member businesses to provide the visitor a sticker which can be worn while strolling the city streets stating “Thank you, I’ve already been asked”. This is an attempt to alert the acquisition agents (OPCs) of the visitors’ lack of interest in the offer which they are making. The purpose of this sticker is not to discourage the visitors from electing to tour a timeshare company but to prevent the same visitor from being bombarded by offerings as they walk down the street. Stickers will be available at all participating member businesses upon request. We hope this program will alleviate the complaints and provide visitors to this area the awareness that the City of Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce are working diligently to resolve this issue. It is the hope of the Chamber that those soliciting on the streets of Gatlinburg will acknowledge the visitors wish to enjoy the streets of the city by avoiding those who wear the sticker. As the Tourism Industry is the lifeline of the business community, it is the Chamber’s goal to provide our visitor with the most gratifying and memorable experience possible. For More Information about this program, please contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at 436-4178.