Twentynine Palms is implementing a new measure to increase tourism over the objections of some local business owners who are crying foul. Reporter David Haldane attended last night’s City Council meeting and filed this report…
Hoteliers of Twentynine Palms, get out your wallets! That was the main takeaway from last night’s meeting of the City Council, which voted unanimously to establish the Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District, otherwise known as the TBID. Its purpose is to promote tourism. But it will be financed by assessments collected from hotel owners and people who rent their houses out to vacationers.
In fact, two hoteliers showed up to speak against the measure, including one who described Twentynine Palms as a “cul-de-sac city that offers no services.” He argued that the measure would only raise room prices, driving potential customers away.
The new TBID is set to become operational in October.
In other actions, the Council renewed its $3.5 million contract with the county sheriff’s department and reviewed the city’s preliminary General Fund budget for the next two years.
TWENTYNINE PALMS NEW TOURISM DISTRICT HAS SOME BUSINESSES CRYING FOUL
