By Linda Bailey Potter / Staff Writer, Alpine Avalanche
Brewster County Tourism Council (BCTC) Executive Director Mike Davidson presented his quarterly report to the Brewster County Commissioners Court at their regular meeting Monday, May 9.
Davidson said there is good news, and reported that first quarter tourism tax receipts for 2005 are up 20 percent. Overall, the tax revenue is up by 50 percent in the last four years. He reported that April has been as good as March.
This reflects what local hotel and motel owners have been reporting-that after Spring Break, business has not let up. It has historically declined after the March rush.
BCTC is planning some enhancements on their website to update information, photos and to improve readability. “It will make navigation easier, ” he said.
They are also continuing with their involvement in regional tourism associations and with their primary partnerships in Fort Stockton and Van Horn. They have also increased their schedule of travel shows to promote Big Bend tourism.
Davidson reported on a series of interpretive signs that will be funded 50/50 by BCTC and the Rio Grande Institute. Two signs will be at the Marathon Post, one sign at Historic Terlingua, two on Hwy. 170 in the new construction area, two on Hwy. 385 south of Marathon, and two signs on Hwy. 118 south of Alpine.
Davidson and Ty Fain of the Rio Grande Institute made a proposal presentation to the annual Bi-National Bridge Committee regarding La Linda Bridge, located on the central/eastern border of Brewster County. It is hoped that tourism can be developed in this area.
The proposal is to meet in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, south of Del Rio, with interested people on both sides of the border, and then to make a presentation to the governors of Texas and the state of Coahuila, Mexico.
“It is of the greatest interest to Brewster County that the land issues surrounding the La Linda bridge be resolved as soon as possible. This is the number one long-term issue, and it should be aggressively pursued,” Davidson said in his written report.
Comments? E-mail writer@alpineavalanche.com
