Bill Moskin, who owns a cultural tourism consulting business here, had just finished a 40-minute spiel on how Bainbridge could actually become a tourist destination when the first questioner asked Moskin, in so many words, why he didn’t bring up the fact that a lot of people here really don’t want more tourism, including some merchants in attendance.

“You’re right,” Moskin said to the man and a full house at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Later, he admitted he didn’t bring up the elephant in the room because it wasn’t necessary.

Nevertheless, Moskin had a good point to make, which essentially was that the island could become a modest but successful tourist site for the discerning visitor if it could only decide what it has to offer, how to market whatever that may be, and get islanders at the front desk or cash register to be nice, rather than indifferent, so serious visitors might return. But first, he said, they need to decide if they want to share their space with others.

So far that’s a no. Still, Bainbridge has become a minor tourist destination primarily due to the ferry, which offers landlubbers visiting Seattle from Nebraska or Georgia an enchanting boat ride sans seasickness. They walk off, stroll around, eat and drink, then float back to their hotel rooms. This incidental tourism has occurred with some marketing effort and shouldn’t be discounted. But generally, islanders, other than some merchants, have shied away from getting serious about the industry.

That’s too bad, says Moskin, who believes his “civic tourism” approach could work here because the island’s “assets” are unique, plentiful and can be shared without change in our lifestyle. And what’s to share, since many return each night to a home on an isolated dirt road that few tourists will ever see?

Plus, though he didn’t say it, a little more tourism could help feed a failing economy. Creating a tourism plan isn’t difficult – just getting some smart people together with a common goal. For example, what if Chilly Hilly were held on a Saturday and followed by a festival or event that would keep people here overnight? Then again, this is Bainbridge Island, not Port Townsend.