Marketing Sequoyah County tourism, which was made possible in February when voters approved a 4% countywide lodging tax, will be “off and running” after county commissioners approved at their weekly meeting a contract with Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association.

The contract will have to be approved again July 1 with the start of a new fiscal year, but District 3 Commissioner Jim Rogers likes the idea of OOTA starting now.

“This will get them off and running where they can start promoting our county,” Rogers said.

Sixty percent of lodging tax receipts are earmarked fore operation and maintenance of the county fairgrounds, with 30% designated for marketing and promotion of countywide tourism. The remaining 10% goes for roadside beautification initiatives.

The current contract stipulates that 76% of the 30% share will be utilized for promoting tourism, with the remaining 24% used for administrative costs, Rogers explained.

Among the tourism projects already in place or being targeted include the 2026 Bassmaster High School and Collegiate Championships, a major bass fishing competition that showcases top high school and college-level anglers. The competition will be on Robert S. Kerr Reservoir at Cherokee Nation Sallisaw Creek State Park (Dwight Mission Road at East 1118 Road).

“It’s going to be a premier location for Bassmaster,” says Gena Woods, OOTA executive director. “It’s incredible. It’ll be a premier area for large fishing tournaments. We’re excited. It’s phenomenal.

“We are really excited to be marketing Sequoyah County. It’s going to be a fantastic year,” Woods said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Events already on the calendar are the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series May 31 to June 1 at Lake Tenkiller, followed by the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite June 12-15 at Lake Tenkiller.

The Bassmaster Junior Series and the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series were both held March 30 at Lake Tenkiller.

“We have so many beautiful places here, around the area. It’s going to be probably even more of a destination, especially with more trails, more biking trails that we are working on and coming down from northwest Arkansas. There’s just a lot of possibilities for the county,” Woods says.

Woods was previously director of tourism for Tour Tahlequah and Explore Cherokee County, positions from which she orchestrated significant advancements in local tourism initiatives. She played a pivotal role in advocating for Cherokee County’s tax, driving increased tourism figures and economic contributions throughout the region.

Her vision for OOTA emphasizes comprehensive marketing efforts aimed at showcasing the area’s diverse attractions and natural resources.

“There’s huge advantages to balancing out the entire area for marketing,” Woods says.