Dane Carlson, CEO of Site Hunt and host of the Econ Dev Show, discusses the powerful connection between tourism and economic development. He shares his journey from blogging to transforming Mariposa, California, by adding innovative attractions like an escape room. Carlson highlights the significance of collaboration among marketers and economic developers to enhance local experiences. He also explores how tourism revitalizes small towns, showcasing the creativity needed for sustainable economic growth and the use of AI tools like Sitehunt to harness local assets.