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Tourism group named
Published Thursday, July 17, 2008
CORRECTION: This story originally contained an error. Michael Cates was appointed to represent the Historic Natchez Foundation. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.
NATCHEZ — The members of the Natchez Tourism Advisory Committee designed to appropriate the $2 occupancy tax have been appointed.
On July 14, the Natchez Convention and Promotion Commission met to pour over nominations submitted by different industries to be affiliated with the committee.
The commission announced the advisory committee Wednesday at the regular commission board meeting.
The members of the committee are:
From the hotel industry, Jill Alexander, Country Inn & Suites; Wendy Grandin, The Briars and Rene Adams, Monmouth.
From the restaurant industry, Janice Guido, the Castle; and Modie Mascagni, Lil Dagos’.
From Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, Marsha Colson.
From the Natchez Adams Chamber of Commerce, Bill Rush Mosby.
From the Natchez Business and Civic League, Larry Jackson.
From the Historic Natchez Foundation, Michael Cates.
From the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American Culture, Helen Brooks.
From the casino industry, Tony Scudiero, the Isle of Capri.
Chairman of the commission Royal Hill said selecting the marketing committee went smoothly and they were able to select from the nominations.
“While we weren’t held to those particular names, we went ahead with those suggested names,” he said.
The first meeting of the committee will be Aug. 4, which Hill said will be an introductory meeting that the convention commission will sit in on.
He said this is a great opportunity for the convention and visitors bureau.
“These are the individuals who are on the front lines every day and they’ll have input directly into the marketing of the city,” Hill said. “We’ll be a unified front, the tourism industry as a whole.”
When the occupancy tax was passed, it was written in the legislation that a marketing committee would be formed to set up a financial marketing plan for the city each fiscal year using the additional funds created through the tax.
The plan will be approved by the CVB and then will go before the Natchez Board of Aldermen for final approval.
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So does this mean Helen Brooks get two votes on issues?
Or does the mean the NAPAC just loses its vote? I can't imagine the HNF not getting its vote in.
Posted by southerngirl (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a hoot
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this the wolf guarding the chicken coop????
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't see anyone from the Natchez Association for the Preservation of European American Culture. I feel less than human now. Makes me sad. Lonely. Forgotten.
I respect Modie and Tony. The rest............?
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole article and the $2.00 is a joke....i am laughing out loud....
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Briars,hmmmmmm isn't that owned by a casino?
LIke I said this is a joke. Hopefully no one else from other cities read our paper. But then that is a joke too. We are being laughed at......
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIGHT! Doesn't that Cato man now own Briars?
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why all the "big houses" and New hotels. These people are the ones that have their OWN money for advertising, what about the smaller hotels, or at least locally owned like, hell any of them besides these...The largest-newest hotel 2 casinos (might as well say) a resturant that is on the grounds of another large Bed and Breakfast with a lot of advertising money and then Monmouth for goodnes sakes.
LOL LOL LOL LOL. The convention and promotion people yet again pulling a fast one. Why not the represention from the Eola - Cock of the Walk- Pearl St. Pasta? Do you think they do not have the "proper" skills needed to justify where your precious $2.00 is spent? You people just kill me.....and are killing our town and well on the way to killing our tourist.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why no one from Downtown Natchez? - Most of the downtown businesses do not belong to the chamber - Downtown tourist related businesses get no say?
Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, so much to correct here...the Democrat had it wrong. helen Brooks has only one vote...NAPAC. The representative from HNF is a guy named Michael Cates. He is a business person, not a hotel or casino guy.
The Briars is a B&B, but it is owned by a casino. Cato is out. Too much of a loose cannon for the corporate types.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So let's see...Hotel represented by :owned by Convention Center Hotel; B&B owned by Casino & B&B owned by well, for sure not a Natchezian and certainly not one of the properties needing any type of assistance in advertising;
Restaurant owned by non-local on a B&B property, also in no need of additional advertisment; correct me if i am wrong but a person from the Chamber, well I just do not know about that, seems like they should be concerned more with getting business here rather than tourist.
We are certainly going to be well represented with rich people spending our little tourist dollars who knows where, probably only in publications that the rich and famous read...not just your ordinary family vacationer. But for sure we will have a "unified front" Are we going to war?
Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YEP...seems like you missed the list?
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank goodness
Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, all I can say is that a few of those on the list are not in the tourism, hotel or casino business...Cates, Mosby, Mascagni and Brooks.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe Michael Cates owns Governor Holmes House.
Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you are correct...but it's a private home, not a business or B&B anymore.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone besides me think the representation is a joke? Guess it really does not matter. It will be what it will be. So I shall cease from my bitchin..........
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It doesn't matter!!! The sole purpose of the $2.00 tax is to drive tourists into Natchez, which will benefit ALL tourist related business, not just those on the committee. What is the difference. If you have an opinion on a means of drawing tourists into Natchez, then feel free to contact one of these committee members and I am certain they will present it on your behalf.
Posted by DHOLMES (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are a happybunny...but I agree.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are certainly going to be well represented with rich people spending our little tourist dollars who knows where, probably only in publications that the rich and famous read...not just your ordinary family vacationer. But for sure we will have a "unified front"
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For one, they are not YOUR little tourist dollars unless you frequently stay at our local hotels. The $2.00 is an additional tax for those staying at our local hotels. So what is the problem with advertising in the rich and famous publications? I am sure anyone in a tourist related business would not have a problem accepting their money.
Posted by Doc_Fungo (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it would have been cool to have Mimi and a Gammel on the committee.
BWAH!
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
listen happybunny, it is the city of Natchez' tourist dollars. And I AM a tax paying local...so YES it is mine and everyone else from Natchez money. And as far as the rich and famous publications, well if I have to explain to you what that means you yourself are too rich to understand what a normal couple with or with out children are looking for...it is not one piece of asparagus and a tenderloin that cost $50.00 for one. That is all I meant....If they would have made the committe a little more broad it would have been a little better........Not everyone can afford to stay at the rich and famous places.
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, happybunny, what if I told you that the aim of heritage tourism is not primarliy economic gain? It has another purpose entirely and the higher ups involved in it already know it will not be very lucrative for most of the people.
"Think Beyond Economics. Tourism proponents routinely use economic development as the reason city councils and legislatures should underwrite their activities. No doubt this argument will always remain a weapon in the industry’s advocacy arsenal, but relying solely on it is incomplete and short-sighted. GDP-driven schemes only measure market activity, not the social or environmental costs of transactions. Tourism, more than most industries, profits from a vibrant cultural scene, tasteful streetscape, and unspoiled natural setting (and is correspondingly disadvantaged). The industry’s entire wagon shouldn’t be hitched to the growth machine, which is often at odds with the Triple Bottom Line."
http://www.culturalheritagetourism.org/n...
What is the Triple Bottom Line? It isn't something upstanding far right wing young Republicans like yourself would be very supportive of- unless you belong to the communist branch of the Republican Party. Can you bank social and environmental transactions? Because, you see, those last two items also go on the heritage tourism balance sheet.
This whole thing is about reorganizing American culture through programs we are told are there to protect it. Buildings and artifacts will remind us of what was, while what we are is reshaped into global collectivism. I stand in amazement of this whole process and how easily it is being sold to the American people. All it takes is a little bit of greed on the part of well placed people in a community.
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am also a tax payer but do not contribute to this tax. I have a home and have no need to stay at a local hotel. None of my money will be contributed to this, however, as a resident, I will benefit from the additional revenue brought into Natchez. I don't really envision Natchez as a traditional family destination like disney land. I do not believe I would choose Natchez if I had a small family. The antebellum homes and the nice restaraunts cater to more of an adult and sophisticated clientele, which is what they should be targeting.
McDonalds is always an option if you don't want to spend $50.00 for a meal. That is the beauty of having a variety to choose from! I personally like to indulge my appetite every now and then and go out for a nice meal.
Having a more broad committee is a mute point, they are all working for the same outcome...tourists $$.
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes for their lucritive business already there. No, Natchez will never ever be disney land. But oh - my I think that we should not only cater to more of an adult and sophisticated clientele but to all. What about what Natchez is trying to sell...it's history...do you not think that families that especially live close to Natchez(with the gas as high as it is I hope that we are going to target some local Mississippians) would love to come to our city, stay in a nice, clean hotel with a pool for the kids, eat a nice catfish dinner maybe at the Cock of the Walk, visit Longwood and soak in some history? I am sure all of the local resturants just love you now. Oh and by the way....I do myself like to dine out at somewhere besides McDonalds...Also by the way, NY has an upscale McDonalds...who knows if we get nothing but the rich and famous we can open an upscale Mickey D's.
Posted by happybunny (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If they are local, then certainly they know about Natchez and what to expect. There is a place for everyone and a pricepoint for everyone. The Comfort Inn here and in Vidalia for example would be affordable and appropriate for a family. That being said, I think it would be an inefficient use of the funds to market Natchez as a family destination. I would have died if my parents would have taken me somewhere like Natchez for the family vacation. Yes some will come but it's the exception not the rule.
Posted by Doc_Fungo (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey EnKiKur...you asked several questions in your comments and failed to answer any of them. You just criticized the funny bunny and conservatives. Since you didn't provide any answers. I can only assume you're a typical liberal with red, warm, fluid running down your arms on your keyboard. So...if at all possible...how about answering your own questions and how does this "Advisory Committee" benefit financially and while you're at it...describe a "well placed person in the community" and how their greed can can profit through this tax? And be careful to not add another capital "K" to your name. Supertrucker47 will pay you a visit!
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You miss the whole point Fungo, my man. It has been a while since I was accused of being a liberal, most lately the description has been conservative dinosaur. But, no matter.
Understanding the things I say takes a little bit of education on the specific topics, and it also requires reading the actual words I write.
People well placed in the tourism industry in Natchez, by that I mean those already in it are being led to dream of vast revenues to come. When in fact the heritage tourism industry is a brain child of UNESCO and the aim is not to create wealth but to institute social change. Look at the links I've provided and you can read that intent in the words of the US governement and the United Nations.
Far from criticizing bunny I am pointing some things out to her she may not be aware of regarding some activities of persons in charge of the Republican Party, who are not conservatives and do no even identify themselves as conservatives but as neo-conservatives who once called themselves not so long ago neo-liberals and before that Trotskyites.
The Advisory Committe benefits because many of them are owners or employees of businesses already in the tourism industry and they will be directing tax dollars for their own primary perceived benefit.
By law, the occupancy tax money can only be used to promote tourism- that is, the money is legally restricted from being used to advertise "all of Natchez", the claim being made by proponents leading up to the tax vote.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Same ole same ole in Natchez...It will never change...
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Change???????NEVER!!!!!!!! LOL...
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on July 17, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree redusmfan...
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You go on one of those expensive carriage tours in Natchez & they fill you will more c--- than the horses put out.
Posted by southerngirl (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So overthehill60....you yourself have actually gotten out and got on the carriage tour and took the tour?
Posted by whataboutit (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Taken from the ND...
We need more marketing money to be able to tell people about what is going on in Natchez,” Natchez Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee Chair Rene Adams said.
A special advisory board composed of two members from the hotel industry, two from the restaurant industry, one from Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, one from the casino industry and an at-large member would administer the funds collected.
The advisory board will have broad authority to make recommendations for how the money should be spent, but it will be the Natchez Convention and Visitor’s Bureau that will make the decisions, former Natchez City Attorney Walter Brown said.
Am I adding wrong or do they have more indians now? Is Rene Adams from Monmouth the same Rene Adams from the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Board.......HMMMMMMMMMMMMMsounds a little fishy.....
And they all just laughed ha ha ha ha ha
Posted by guy2co (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
overthehill60, have you actually taken a carriage tour? As far as I know we carriage drivers don't fill you with crap, that usually comes from people on the comments page that don't know what they are talking about. I gave a tour just last night and after the tour one lady on the tour told me she has been teaching Mississippi history for years and she could not believe how informative my tour was. Maybe you should come ride with me I will pay for your ride out of my pocket. Show me what part of my tour is crap. I've been doing this for 12 years and I learned the tour after studying and reading about Natchez and talking to the owners of some of the houses. I am not saying that my tour is the best, or that I know everything, but you can bet if I tell you about something on my tour its a fact. Oh and by the way our carriage tours are some of the cheapest in the country. $15 for a forty minute narrated tour does not seem expensive to me. Actually I don't even collect the money until after the tour, I tell the riders that If I give a bad tour get off and run. I've told people that for years and they always stay and pay. Most of the time they even tip me.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only thing I want to know is, How much are these people going to get paid? And what bank is the money going to sit in before it's picked apart.
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