When someone with an agenda gets to write the survey questions, the results are often dubious. That's what has happened in Durango for the past couple years as the County has surveyed residents on their opinions regarding the investment of Room Tax revenue. And, as expected, the vast majority 0f respondents agree that at least some o0f those revenues should go somewhere else.
According to the Durango Herald: The survey question informed respondents that the lodgers tax revenues are used “for advertising and marketing for tourism,” and asked whether they would support “shifting more funds … to other purposes related to the impacts of tourism, such as housing and childcare for the tourism-related workforce, including seasonal workers, and for other workers in the community, with less funding for tourism marketing.”
But, as Visit Durango's Rachel Brown counters, the set-up for the question is all wrong. As we featured on our conversation with her on DMOU, Visit Durango's program of work is far more than "advertising and marketing," easy marks for any community dealing with concerns about congestion. Indeed, Visit Durango's work in sustainability and stewardship is among the best in the country.
But, somebody with an agenda wrote a survey question that makes the DMO look out of touch. Here's to the Herald for attempting to balance the conversation.
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