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Spotsylvania supervisors opt out of regional tourism program managed by city Date published: 6/28/2007
By DAN TELVOCK Spotsylvania supervisors face criticism from hotel owners, Fredericksburg officials and tourism proponents for opting out of the Fredericksburg Area Tourism program. "I think the region will suffer because of that decision as far as marketing is concerned," said Hampton Inn General Manager Terry English yesterday. "We end up being the big losers." Prior to the Tuesday meeting, English gave supervisors a letter signed by six other county hotel managers supporting FAT. The hotel managers asked to address the board Tuesday night, but were denied the opportunity. Although Spotsylvania County has more than two dozen various regional agreements, some think the recent decision leaves a perception that supervisors don't support regionalism. Supervisors voted 7-0 Tuesday to opt out of FAT. FAT, which Fredericksburg officials manage, supports tourism in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Spotsylvania and Stafford pay $193,200 a year for the services. The city pays $310,700. The marketing relationship started in 1994. Stafford's economic development staff is recommending the county remain active in FAT. Spotsylvania Economic Development Director Russell Seymour's 10-page report detailed the reasons staff recommended opting out. Supervisors had to make a decision by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. "We did not feel that the current regional effort was being utilized in the best means to promote businesses and tourism in Spotsylvania County," he said. "Staff believes that given the money and the staff time we can do more to promote our local businesses and attractions across the board." Fredericksburg City Councilman Matt Kelly said he's tired of Spotsylvania supervisors complaining. "I don't think it does regional cooperation much good," Kelly said about the decision. He said the timing of the decision is ironic. During a Committee of 500 forum Sunday, Kelly sat with three supervisors touting regionalism. Supervisor Jerry Logan even said "regional cooperation is alive and well in Spotsylvania County." Logan didn't return a message seeking comment on the FAT decision. Kelly said all references to Spotsylvania County and its businesses on the FAT Web site, VisitFred.com, will be removed.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 6/28/2007
I have worked with the FAT group in the past and have always been impressed on the working-together-to-make-it-happen relationship. Generation of revenue from Tourism should not be mixed with politics as the ratio of $$ benefits demonstrates. What a waste of an excellent resource and Shame on Spotsy!
I'm no mathematician but it seems like a $2.23 return for every dollar spent is not a bad investment. I guess this decision is much like the VRE - another situation for the Spotsy Board to sponge off others and it not cost them anything. That's pretty smart of the board but does little to build relationships.
I applaud the decision of the board. Mr Jackson must be very wealthy (200,000) is a lot of money . It is thaxes squeezed out of 10 or 15 homeowners. Do you think our attractions will be ignored without this "FAT" organization? I think not, but hey if they don't show up to trash my county I won't miss them either!
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