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the Board to support the bill. <br /> Sharon Finch, Chair of the Orange County Visitors Task <br /> Force, stated that their recommendation results from a countywide <br /> effort. All of the startup kinds of ideas are concepts that are <br /> not currently provided in the County. She feels that visitor <br /> services are fragmented at the present time. With some resources, <br /> they can be coordinated with everyone working together to promote <br /> tourism. She submitted a letter from Susan B. Hansell, Co-owner <br /> of A New Attitude who endorsed the concept of the Orange County <br /> Visitor Development Authority. She feels that such an umbrella <br /> organization can more effectively serve the needs of all the area <br /> communities to attract visitors and vacationers. Another letter <br /> from Realtor Barbara Pipkin endorsed the resolution for <br /> establishment of a Visitor Development Authority for Orange County <br /> to be financed by the recommended allocations from the hotel/motel <br /> occupancy tax. Mike Fales, General Manager of the Omni-Europa <br /> Hotel in Chapel Hill and President of the newly formed Orange <br /> County Hotel/Motel Association, stated that the hotel industry in <br /> Orange County is in trouble. A lot of them are trying to survive <br /> with 55% occupancy. He showed some visitor and business guides <br /> that encourage businesses to have meetings in that particular <br /> community. On December 19, 1990, the hotels and motels of Orange <br /> County unanimously endorsed a resolution of support for the report <br /> of the Visitors Task Force. They feel a unified visitor services <br /> S center would be in the best interest of their industry and in the <br /> best interest of the community. Their efforts are geared toward <br /> better serving the existing tourist and targeting those visitors <br /> who would benefit the community. <br /> Ed Rekopf, Director of Hotels and Conference Centers for the <br /> University of North Carolina and acting General Manager of the <br /> Carolina Inn, stated he feels there are three elements that a <br /> visitors center would provide. One is to extend hospitality to <br /> visitors coming into the community. The second thing they do is <br /> provide coordination and information to those visitors and the <br /> final thing they do is to manage the visitor industry. <br /> David Taylor, President of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber <br /> of Commerce, spoke in favor of and support for a countywide visitor <br /> services program. The Chamber adopted a resolution supporting this <br /> effort. He encouraged the Board to proceed with seeking the <br /> necessary legislation and thereafter proceed with the establishment <br /> of a countywide visitors services bureau or program. They believe <br /> the program is needed to boost economic development in Orange <br /> County. He asked for the Board's support and pledged the support <br /> of the Chamber in developing this program. <br /> Tom Roberts spoke in favor of the occupancy tax and the <br /> establishment of a visitors service bureau for Orange County. He <br /> believes it is important for the economic development of the <br /> County. <br /> Kevin Goodwin, President of the Hillsborough Chamber of <br /> 110 Commerce, indicated that although the Chamber has passed a <br /> resolution endorsing the establishment of a visitors service <br /> authority, he reinforces that support tonight. He feels that to <br />