Pleased with Travel Penticton

Dear editor:

As a long-time stakeholder in the tourism industry, I wish to address recent comments made by the Herald regarding the retreat taken by Travel Penticton staff and board (Herald, Feb. 1).

The benefits of such retreats to organizations are well accepted as they allow the organization to discuss and plan for their upcoming business cycle and budgets. Such retreats are good governance. As a member of this society, I have asked questions and received satisfactory answers to confirm the decisions of the board of Travel Penticton were good decisions.

I am aware that quotes were sought and evaluated and the least expensive options selected. I note The Herald chose not to print these facts. As a member, I am happy Travel Penticton is exercising good governance practices and are planning on behalf of all of the stakeholders. As an industry we have experienced some challenges in the last couple of years and I am comforted that Travel Penticton is working in our best interests.

I am disappointed that this misleading story appears to be an attempt to challenge the good work Travel Penticton has done in working for the hospitality and tourism industries. We must remember that the two per cent hotel tax had to accepted and approved by the industry and those of us whose livelihood and daily lives rely on the success or failures of our industry.

Continued efforts to undermine our industry will not be accepted or tolerated and may lead to the industry deciding not to support or renew this program, that would most certainly be unfortunate.

As someone who has laboured to implement and renew this initiative, I continue to support the works of Travel Penticton as they are fulfilling the promises that were made when approval was sought.

“Interference outside the industry to “sensationalize” stories to sell papers” is unfortunate. Shame on The Herald for deciding to “report” only part of the facts.

I am pleased with the work of Travel Penticton. Barb Schneiderat Penticton