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Local hoteliers and chamber urge committee to restore tourism marketing funds and support visitor center
Summary
Speakers from the Astoria Warrenton-area tourism and hotel industry asked the budget committee to allocate roughly $41,000 to the LCTC or visitor center, arguing tourism marketing drives TLT revenue and helps sustain local employment.
Public commenters during the budget hearing urged increased funding for tourism promotion and direct support for the visitor center.
David Reed, executive director of the Astoria Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, asked the committee to direct additional funds to the Lower Columbia Tourism Committee (LCTC) or to the visitor center, saying tourism-driven transient lodging tax (TLT) receipts are within local control and can be affected by destination marketing. "13% of it is TLT, and that is something that you can affect," Reed said, urging the committee to consider a roughly $41,000 allocation identified in the subcommittee process. He also described the chamber's long-standing role operating a purpose-built visitor center and asked for support to sustain the center's services.
Hotelier Brandon Craft presented proprietary occupancy data showing a multi-year decline in area hotel occupancy and said LCTC is the appropriate body to help reverse the trend through coordinated promotion. He recommended the committee consider restoring funding levels to drive overnight stays and broaden the base for TLT receipts. The committee took the comments for consideration when finalizing allocations but did not change funding in the meeting; staff said the comments will inform the next day's budget review.
