HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-15-1994-X-B 1
O R A N G E C O U N T Y
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 1994
Action Agenda
Item # X-9
SUBJECT:
Visitors Bureau Progress Report
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X _No
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
ATTACHMENT (S) : INFORMATION CONTACT:
#1: Annual Report (Under separate
cover) Shelly Green, Director
TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 968-2060
PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to update the Board of Commissioners on the progress of the
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
BACKGROUND: In September of 1991, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to
levy a room occupancy tax of 1% on the gross receipts derived from the rental of any room,
lodging, or similar accommodation in the county. An interim Board of Directors was
subsequently appointed by the Commissioners, who oversaw the formation of a county
Visitors Bureau and the hiring of a Director. The Bureau has been operational for
approximately 20 months now.
Additional documents available for your review:
1993-94 Marketing Plan The current program of work for the visitors bureau, the
marketing plan was developed with staff, board, and community input. The plan includes an
assessment of the current situation, trends in the travel industry, specific goals and programs
to be implemented in 1993-94, and a competition analysis of other communities.
Collateral Materials Collateral materials produced in the first year of operation include a
comprehensive Visitors Guide to Orange County, a Guide to Accommodations, and a
Calendar of Events produced six times annually.
Cost-Benefit Analysis A graduate student in International Development at NC State
University completed a cost-benefit analysis of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors
Bureau for a class project. His study shows that an additional $2 million was injected into
the local economy (above and beyond the normal increase that would have occurred) after
the formation of the bureau. An Executive Summary of the study and the complete study
are available.
RECOMMENDATION: The County Manager recommends the Board of Commissioners accept the report for
information.