Commission Seeks Ideas to Promote Marina Tourism

The Small Craft Harbor Commission has rejected a proposal to have the Marina del Rey Area Chamber of Commerce oversee a $250,000 program to promote tourism and business travel.

The commission, an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, voted last week to ask public relations firms and advertising agencies to submit proposals on how they would conduct a promotional campaign.

The advertising effort would be financed from a share of the hotel tax revenues generated in the marina. Supervisors voted last year to increase the hotel tax from 10% to 12% despite protests from marina business interests.

“We need a professional public relations person,” said Commissioner Carole Stevens, who objected to the proposed contract with the Chamber of Commerce.

“Do we really need them as the middlemen?,” asked Commissioner Herbert Strickstein. “Why don’t we contract directly with a public relations or advertising firm.”

Eric Bourdon, assistant director of the county Department of Beaches and Harbors, warned that the marina will probably lose the $250,000 to the county general fund if the contract with the Chamber of Commerce does not go forward.

Commissioner Mark Nathanson agreed. “I don’t think we’ll ever see that money again,” he said. “I think it was a disastrous vote we took.”