Eastern-based Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trails and the National Geographic Society have teamed up to present a tourism package geared toward helping boost tourism and economic development.

KAHT specializes in tourism and business development and is offered through Eastern's Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology, a program sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

In this month's issue of National Geographic Traveler, readers will find a travel brochure that recognizes 356 sites, spreading across 13 states, all of which are compiled together to make up a geo-tourism project known as the “Undiscovered Treasures” of Appalachia.

"We are thrilled about Eastern being part of this and what the National Geographic is doing to expose Appalachia's treasures," said Chris Cathers, KAHT program manager.

Along with the exposure from the 900,000 subscribers of National Geographic Traveler, ARC will also supply the tourism brochures of the 30 Kentucky sites to tourism agencies, civic groups, schools and libraries.

The selected sites were narrowed down from more than 70 nominations statewide.

" This gives ARC an opportunity to market Appalachia to the masses, and we are very excited we are getting the attention and the magazine readership as well," Cathers said.

KAHT involvement in the project has been to ensure a way for information about the sites to be accessed by those interested.

The group has done so by creating an Internet outlet that allows for access of photographs, directions and contact information of each of the Kentucky sites.

The project taken on by KAHT has been one that has involved many of Eastern’s faculty and student members.

“We have had faculty from several departments and students who have been instrumental in the development of this project,” Cathers said.