Of Taverns, Tourists, and Taxes
Words are powerful because they represent ideas. And ideas can be troublesome because they involve change. Historic Camden is responsible for two recent “ideas” that have created a degree of controversy because of proposed changes.
The first idea was the “Tourist Welcome Center”, and the other was the McCaa Tavern Renovation Project. We’ve already blogged about the Tavern but there was an editorial written in Wednesday’s Chronicle and, more to the point, was written BEFORE the actual first public presentation took place last Tuesday night at the City Council meeting. It opined on supposition by the editorial writer that resulted in an off target message. Fortunately, the article that appears in today’s (Friday’s) Chronicle Independent was written by Martin Cahn who actually attended the first public presentation about the McCaa Tavern Restoration Project. Mr. Cahn bulls-eyed the issues discussed at the meeting in his article written AFTER the presentation. Historic Camden appreciated the factual and balanced reporting of Mr. Cahn to contrast with opinion based on hearsay BEFORE a public announcement. Historic Camden is happy there is discussion about the Tavern project and was grateful to have an open discussion at the City Council meeting so questions could be asked, answered, and opinions could be formed on information received publicly rather than innuendo or conjecture.
We also hope that the same informed discussions will occur in regard to the other idea put forth by Historic Camden to both City and County Councils -- the idea to place a tourist welcome/information center here on Historic Camden grounds. It’s actually not a new idea. There has been past discussion to place a visitor center where the old hay barn was before it burned and was subsequently demolished. We think it’s worthy of reconsideration again. Particularly in light of the City/County recognition of “tourism” as an “industry” that can bring economic benefit to both City and County. And today with A-tax (Accommodation Tax) and H-tax (Hospitality Tax) monies available to fund new tourism ideas, ideas can be made reality.
We first and foremost support a coordinated City/County cooperative effort to develop tourism and creation of a comprehensive local tourism game plan that would include ALL potential tourism attractions in our community. This would involve identification of the different types of tourism that could be developed by assessing our community assets. Identification of what is unique, different, and easily “branded” to help with marketing to differentiate our offerings to tourists. This process is critical to success and to achieve buy-in, participation, and active support from the community. Then with all of the identified potential “tourism development” on the table, decisions could be made from a financial perspective to fund the ideas that would have the best bang for the buck. It’s all about return of investment to hopefully allow grants to help start self-sustaining efforts and then funding could be considered for new associated and varied purposes… but still all fitting under a well thought out, financially viable, over arching plan designed to meet predetermined goals for tourism success in our community. We strongly believe rather than a “crutch” to prop up failure, these tourism tax funds should be used to prime a pump. Enabling continued growth from seeds planted that can be independent from on-going entitlement type funding. When start up funding helps resources that generates on-going profit streams directly from the tourism business, we all win.
That said, the fact of the matter is that every “tourist” organization in the community knows there’s a “pile of money” available, (or rather a “finite amount of money”), and like buzzards, (Historic Camden being included in the “buzzards”), the non-profits are circling for handouts.
This is understandable, because it’s the way of the world and people. And while ideas may invite controversy, discussions of FUNDING these ideas guarantees controversy and fireworks. Kind of like how families have been known go to war when dividing an inheritance. Until an overarching PLAN is created, our public funds may be spent willy-nilly and get us nowhere and subject public funds to being picked clean by the circling "buzzards."
In the meantime, grants are being given… and we at Historic Camden think if the tourism “brands” of the community will still embrace “History”, (as in History, Horses, and Hospitality), “history” as a brand remains strong. The straw poll taken at the latest “Gateway” public meeting had “history” with ten votes for the “identity” of Camden and the closest runner-up was “horses” with four votes, (and you can add three more votes for “steeplechase capital”). By easily positioning the 18th C. McCaa House for interpretation as a tavern, this represents the “history brand,” and we trust this would be a prudent choice for investment if such an overarching plan is developed.
The other consideration for “tourism” in general is a fundamental demand of any tourist, easy access to local information. That is why Historic Camden is re-introducing the concept of having a “tourist welcome center/information center” on the campus of Historic Camden. And clearly a “tourist center” would qualify for H-tax and A-tax grants.
Historic Camden is a natural location for a welcome center to greet the TOURIST coming off I-20. It’s dog friendly for folks who need to walk their dog. It’s photogenic… has a shaded picnic area with benches and tables… and as a “rest stop,” it’s a very convenient right hand turn directly into a parking lot that can easily accommodate tour buses and RV’s. RV’s, (with permission), can even stay overnight in the parking lot. Bathrooms are handicap accessible and clean. As in information center, we have a running DVD that introduces the visitor to Historic Camden and could also easily introduce them to the city and county as well. If visitors need to stretch their legs, we have four trails, including a nature trail with a beautiful pond. And we’re fully insured for visitors. Truth be told, we’re already a de facto welcome center. If we had a nickel for every time someone said, “I thought you were the welcome center!” we wouldn’t be begging for money from H-tax and A-tax. (If we could only get a nickel out of them! But as you know, unless you get a tour of the Kershaw House, there are no admission charges, only the option of a donation.) It makes sense to a visitor coming off the interstate that the first place they see a “history” sign and a large welcoming parking lot to the right would be a “welcome center.” And it has been this way for years.
Now before some get too riled up at this “idea,” let us be clear… we are NOT suggesting we do the good work of the Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, we are not, and never have, suggested we “take” anything away from the Chamber of Commerce. We’re just making a suggestion that if Historic Camden could function as a COMPENSATED visitor center/ tourism info center/ rest-stop, we can do an even better job at what we always have done. Because right now, we get NO public funding for what we do in terms of “welcoming” tourists and giving them “information” about our community.
When visitors enter into our office, they find we’re open 7 days a week. (Even on Monday's when the hours sign says "closed." We do this so we do have the option of being closed, (like most museums), on Mondays, but typically on at least half the business hours on Monday, we're open. And we're always open on weekends. Especially weekends. The fact remains, the official and publicly funded “Visitor Welcome Center” at the Chamber of Commerce is not open on Saturdays after noon and closed on Sundays. Historic Camden is open on weekends. We’re not saying this to make the Chamber feel bad, but only to say we (and tourists who are visiting on the weekends) are aware of this. And we’re happy to remain a resource, funded or not. Only it would be nice if the services Historic Camden provides to tourists on weekends was acknowledged with funding. If we don’t get funding, we’ll still stay open on the weekends because WE ARE A TOURIST DESTINATION and tourists expect tourist destinations to be open on weekends. We’re NOT suggesting that this desired funding be TAKEN AWAY from the Chamber of Commerce. We are happy if the City/County were to provide NEW funding IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE CHAMBER RECEIVES. After all, what’s H-tax and A-tax for? But that decision is not up to us. We’re suggesting something for our elected officials to consider. We think it’s prudent to start thinking ahead to really meet tourist needs, particularly on high tourist traffic days, LIKE THE WEEKENDS, if City and County are really serious about getting into the “tourism business.”
This is all about "business." If the plans County/City were to come up with that may or may not include Historic Camden as a tourist welcome center really didn't make good business sense, there's no point in pursuing this. However, We think it does make good business sense. Having a place tourists can visit on the weekends for information hardly would amount to "duplicating services," NO additional money would be needed to create a visitor center "up to par" because we're already doing those services. Additional funding would simply enhance the services we currently offer. And, you can take this to the bank, Historic Camden will be accountable for every nickle we receive to spend on enhancing a tourist information center.
When visitors enter our office they find local as well as regional tourist information, motel/hotel information, and restaurant information for ALL our area restaurants – and an ample supply of restaurant menus. And they are met by professionals who work with tourists everyday to answer questions they may have. Our Director has 22 years of tourism experience (and was recently honored by a joint SC House/Senate resolution acknowledging her contributions to not only City and County, but the State of South Carolina). Historic Camden has independently put together dining and lodging books to describe offerings in more detail. The shop at Historic Camden offers retail sales consignment venues for local craftsmen and local non-perishable products as another way Historic Camden reaches out to, and supports, local business. And even on our self guided tour maps, (available after business hours by the door along with the Arts and Antiques District guides), recommends “turning right” out the driveway to enjoy the amenities the City of Camden has to offer.
And if the visitor chooses to see the sights, they can see the biggest daily tourist attraction the county has, Historic Camden from the same parking lot.We annually see over 20,000 visitors a year.
We think this idea deserves consideration. It would help Historic Camden with increased staff and provide new and improved amenities AND particularly give a great Return on Investment because most of what Historic Camden offers visitors ALREADY exists.
Initially, $87,050. Split between City and County evenly, that works out to $43,525 each. Annually, thereafter, each could contribute about $20,900. At this price, having two welcome centers that could augment each other (weekends/weekdays) that only deal with the CASUAL TOURIST, (… not relocation, not business outreach, and all the traditional Chamber of Commerce functions you expect from an active Chamber of Commerce), would be a bargain. At least we think so. The bulk of the initial cost would be to present an even more welcoming appearance to our visitors. The bulk of the ongoing costs would provide two FTE positions.
Sadly, there would be a degree of "entitlement funding" every year to pay for staffing to man a tourist information center beyond our typical single employee. "Information Centers" do not generate profit to the center itself, but they do generate business to the community.
We currently, have only one full time employee working at a time on weekdays. Weekends, because that’s when we get increased tourist traffic, we have two employees meeting, greeting, and conducting the tours. If we had additional paid staffing, (volunteers typically can only stay for a few hours), we could both give tours AND keep the office building open for visitors at all times.
Despite the small staff, and to reiterate, Historic Camden greets over 20,000, (that’s right, TWENTY THOUSAND), visitors a year. We think with enhancements city and county investments will create win/win opportunities for both Historic Camden and our community’s economic return on tourism.
To fund this, H-tax and A-tax monies could be legitimately be used as this purpose conforms to almost all the prerequisites for use of these “tourism” tax dollars. The city alone generates about $700,000 a year in H-tax revenue. Here is a list of individual requirements, (one of which must be met to receive H-tax revenue). Historic Camden qualifies for multiple standards, (bolded).
The City of Camden implemented a 2% hospitality tax December 2009. As mandated by the state, the revenues generated are exclusively for the following purposes:
tourism-related buildings including, but not limited to, civic centers, coliseums and aquariums;
tourism-related cultural, recreational or historic facilities;
beach access, beach re-nourishment or other tourism related lands and water access; (we have a pond on the nature trail, but no beach!)
highways, roads, streets and bridges providing access to tourist destinations; (we’ve already got roads!)
advertisements and promotions related to tourism development; or
water and wastewater infrastructure to serve tourism-related demand. (the city has generously included removal of the smelly septic pump substation in their infrastructure investment for the entire neighborhood and similarly has buried power lines with the ongoing work you see on Broad Street, so we don’t have to use this one anymore!)
When the previous City administration pitched the H-tax to the Board of Historic Camden, we were told it would mean “increased funding.” Sadly, only through persistent pressure to increase Historic Camden funding, we finally received an increase of about $2,000 last year. (You can read the details in previous blog postings). The bulk of the monies received as a grant from the H-tax funding goes to pay city utility bills. We are, always, grateful to the City and County for the support we receive, and the in-kind donations such as the mowing of our fields, as the city does for other non-profits in town.
We hope that the suggestion of a casual tourist information center at Historic Camden will provide excellent ROI so the city and county will receive direct benefit from the work Historic Camden can do to promote tourism destinations in our community. If you want to help Historic Camden with support of this concept, tell your elected County and City Council Members. We’d appreciate it!
