Although it’s unclear whether Gov. Charles Turnbull will sign a proposal to create a tourism authority in the territory, his nominee to head the Department of Tourism is opposed to the idea.
Acting Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards said Thursday that the bill aimed at creating a semi-autonomous, public-private sector tourism authority, which is now awaiting Turnbull’s signature, could take tourism policy decisions away from the government. Turnbull officially nominated Richards for the Tourism job on Tuesday.
Richards also said she hasn’t found any other jurisdiction in the Caribbean that has adopted such an authority.
As an example of potential conflicts under a tourism authority, Richards said the department has focused on cultural and heritage tourism, particularly on St. Croix. Many in the private sector, she said, want more of a focus on the Danish colonial period.
"How are we gong to market ourselves?" Richards asked. "Is it going to be a reflection of the community or of a committee? I think with the government there is more control."
The tourism authority proposal would create a semi-autonomous government agency similar to the V.I. Port Authority and the West Indian Co. Ltd. As proposed, the authority would be made up of nine members — three from government and six from the private sector. All nominees would have to be approved by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature.
The board would have the authority to issue bonds and would have an executive director responsible for managing day-to-day affairs and the $11-million-a-year generated by the territory’s 8 percent hotel occupancy tax.
That tax has also been an issue for those in the tourism industry. Many individuals believe that the money generated by the occupancy tax isn’t being used to market the territory, contrary to the law. Not true, Richards said.
She noted that the Tourism Department doesn’t get a lump sum of millions of dollars to use for advertising. Rather, she said small amounts are given by the Department of Finance throughout a year, giving the impression that Tourism isn’t receiving the full amount generated by the tax.
"The money is going to advertising," Richards said. "The question is whether or not there is enough money, not if it goes there."
Richards also noted that the Finance Department would continue to control the flow of occupancy tax funds under the tourism authority.
A proposal to raise the occupancy tax to 10 percent, which is also awaiting Turnbull’s signature, is opposed by the tourism industry and Richards.
Turnbull has until Feb. 13 to act on the proposed legislation.
