Private-sector tourism officials are scratching their heads following Gov. Charles Turnbulls statement Monday night that they should match a government contribution of $1.5 million to market the territory this summer.
In his State of the Territory address, Turnbull announced that he would use $1.5 million from the governments general fund, to be matched by the private sector, for advertising. But tourism representatives in both districts said Turnbulls proposal may have been a misstatement because the government already collects some $11 million annually in hotel occupancy taxes to market the territory as a tourist destination.
"To be totally honest, that caused us to chuckle," said Beverly Nicholson, executive director of the St. Thomas St. John Hotel Association. "Perhaps someone hasnt explained how the ($11 million) is derived. Telling us to match the money is of concern. St. Thomas-St. John already outspends the government two-to-one on advertising."
Peter Locke, president of the St. Croix Accommodations Council, was equally disturbed by the governors remarks. He said that theoretically, the $11 million in occupancy taxes and Turnbulls proposed $1.5 million should go toward promoting the territory.
"Does that mean we get $12.5 million?" asked Locke.
Nicholson said her association hasnt been able to ascertain how much the Department of Tourism spent on advertising the territory for fiscal year 1999. But because some of the associations members are seeing a 40 percent decline in business from over a year ago, she said the governments efforts, and Turnbulls proposal, arent encouraging.
"The $1.5 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what the private sector is spending on marketing," Nicholson said.
The governments approach to marketing the territory has already caused the private sector to submit draft legislation that would create a tourism authority comprised of individuals from business and government.
But in his address Monday, Turnbull instead proposed the creation of a tourism advisory council. While Turnbulls idea stops short of creating a private-public tourism board "with some teeth," Locke said the tourism industry will cautiously accept the governors proposal.
"I think perhaps its a good step," Locke said. "We cant fault him for that. I think with big government, there is a reluctance to relinquish control."
John DeJongh Jr., president of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce, said that while the private sectors goal is a tourism authority, Turnbulls proposal is a step in that direction.
"I look at it as an initial step," he said. "I think government is evolutionary, not revolutionary. The (draft) bill calls for a joint board. That to me is where we should be ultimately."