Featured in the July/August edition of Journeys, the official publication of AAA, is an article about the city of Middlesboro. The article covers the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, the Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap Tunnel, Lost Squadron Museum, and Middlesboro having the distinction of being the only city in the United States built within the basin of an impact crater. There is also mentioned five sites that every visitor must see when they visit the city.

As part of the ongoing effort to boost tourism in Bell County, Judy Barton, director of the Bell County Tourism Commission, states “I appreciate the AAA for their coverage of the area. The article is very well written, and the photos used are beautiful. This truly is a wonderful area to visit.”

“Coming to Bell County makes sense,” Barton continued, “visitors do not have to travel as far, and they get to see a wide variety of sights here. We have everything from modern, technological marvels like the Tunnel, to sights like the Gap and Gap Cave which takes a person back to the early days of pioneering.”

Tom Shattuck, president of the Bell County Tourism Commission, said, “Judy has done a good job working with the media, getting good coverage of the area, and is to be commended for her tireless dedication to promoting Bell County. We are fortunate to have her as director.”

Leo Haggerty, president of Web Boss Design Studios, located in Middlesboro, took all of the photos used in the article. Web Boss Design Studios designed the web site of the Bell County Tourism Commission, which had the distinction of winning first place in the Traverse Award for Excellence in Tourism Marketing. The Kentucky Tourism Council presents the Traverse Awards each year to honor the best work in advertising and marketing among Kentucky tourism businesses and organizations.

“Working with Judy Barton and the Bell County Tourism Commission has been a real pleasure. I am particularly proud that Journeys decided to run this article about Middlesboro. It validates all the work that we have been doing to help Judy in her desire to promote tourism in this area,” stated Leo.

If you would like more information about the Bell County Tourism Commission, contact them at (606) 248-2482 or visit their web site at www.mountaingateway.com.