This Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting reviewed the county’s visitor’s bureau and decided to revisit this in May

The Humboldt Board of Supervisors reviewed a report on the Humboldt County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) and how the marketing group is spending hotel tax money. This was a long discussion about the results of an Ad hoc committee’s financial audit of the HCVB.

“Tourism not just has benefits from an economic perspective, it also has some costs,” said Mike Wilson, the Third District Supervisor. “I also want to emphasize that communities that are healthy and happy are generally your best to draw it, tourists want authentic experiences.”

However, according to the audit, the HCVB received more than $315,000 in the transient occupancy tax–a tax paid for by visitors to hotels. According to their budget, the bureau spends 42% of that on salaries. And while they spent $80,000 on brochures, videos, and photographs, their budget shows only $10,000 spent on direct marketing and advertising. With an additional co-op marketing spend of $11,000 that’s matched by “Visit California.”

The board was asked to “increase” funding for the bureau because of increased expenses. Something that was not supported by the supervisors. Another option was to get input from the so-called “gateway” areas–unincorporated towns along the roads into Humboldt County.

“I think the gateways are extremely important, I do,” said Rex Bohn, the Vice-Chair and First District Supervisor. “But at the end of the day, this is where the visitors and convention bureau or somebody has to take the place. We have to get the people to the gateway.”

In the end, the supervisors decided to revisit this in May.

“Evaluate our tourism assets and that we bring that discussion back to our board in May to once again reevaluate the Humboldt County Eureka Visitor Bureau,” said Michelle Bushnell, the Second District Supervisor. “With all of that information input.”

Redwood News will follow this story and bring you updates on it.