LAKE COUNTY— When the Lake County Tourism Improvement District, “Visit Lake County CA,” was established in late 2018 supporters hoped local tribes would join the effort to raise the funding needed to implement a robust and holistic marketing program.
“With this agreement, we are advancing our vision of a cohesive and inclusive approach to highlight the many wonders of our county,” said Board Co-Chair Maryann Schmid. “A key objective of our newly formed District is to provide benefits through marketing and sales promotions designed to increase overnight tourism and promote Lake County lodging venues as meeting and event destinations,” she said.
Under the Tourism Improvement District rules, lodging establishments in the unincorporated areas of the County as well as the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport are assessed a 1.5% transient occupancy tax. Tribal lodging businesses are not subject to the assessment. Under the terms of the agreement, the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Tribe has agreed to a 1.5% self assessment from their room rentals.
“We are pleased to express our support for the benefits that will come from a unified approach to the development of tourism in Lake County,” said E.J. Crandell, Chairman of the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California. “Although we have our own marketing plan, we see value in joining a broader effort, one that will benefit all communities in the County,” he said.
The agreement between the Board and the Tribe includes the 1.5% self-assessment from room rentals effective December 1, 2019, payable quarterly to TID, and a seat on the Lake County Tourism Improvement District Board of Directors. Asked if he would be joining the Board, Crandell said the Tribal Council will appoint their representative in the near future.
The Lake County Tourism Improvement District is one of 105 others in California and 172 nationwide. The cornerstone feature of the Districts is to provide dedicated funding to promote destination economies and expanding tourism efforts.
For information about the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s work, including the latest information on branding and marketing plans, visit discoveryourlake.com or email info@discoveryourlake.com
