Travel west through the North Carolina mountains on Highway 74 and you’ll enter the Qualla Boundary, the 100 square mile home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You’re welcome there. In fact, the Tribe is hoping you’ll stop by. This community is betting on more than gaming to grow the local economy. They’re counting on tourism. Doug Cole is a Strategic Planner for the Eastern Band of Cherokee. He says, “Right now Cherokee is at a transition point for development.” Cole adds, “Since the mid 90’s we’ve been more a destination for gaming and I think the challenge is reaching a balance between the gaming and tourism.” The goal either way is to keep more money in Cherokee.