Politics & Government

Hoteliers Ask For Toursim Support

The city will find a way to scrape together funding for the county's Conference and Visitors Center.

Watsonville may not be a tourism hotbed, but local hoteliers came before the city council Tuesday to ask that the city reinstate funding to the county's Conference and Visitors Center, a partnership that tries to drive tourism to the region.

The loss of the Redevelopment Agency eliminated money to fund the CVC, but City Manager Carlos Palacios told the city council he could find a way to squeeze $5,000 from Watsonville's $33 million budget and give it to the CVC.

Gov. Jerry Brown cut Redevelopment Agencies across the state earlier this year. That left Watsonville with no money for the CVC, which helps bring visitors to the area and promotes Watsonville events, such as the , the and history programs. Previously, Watsonville had given $23,000 annually.

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Ten hotel owners signed a letter urging the city council to reconsider its decision.

"Normally we sort of compete against each other, but tonight we're here as one voice," said Dan Aspromonte, who owns the .

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"We have a vested interest in this community," said Darmesh Patel, whose family owns the .

Maggie Ivy, CEO of the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council, told the council the loss of her agency would affect "the health of your small business community overall."

She explained that for every occupied hotel room in the city, people spend money on meals, gas and incidentals.

"The program is working," she said.

Watsonville has tried to drive tourism in recent years to increase sales tax revenues and create jobs. Efforts have included approving and promoting summer festivals.

Watsonville's means there's no extra money to fund the CVC, but Palacios said he could find a way to scratch together the $5,000.


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