Governor gets earful from local business leaders

PROVINCETOWN - Local business owners and tourism officials gave Gov. Deval Patrick an up close and personal look at life in a challenged, seasonal economy last Friday when the Governor spent the day in this resort town.

The Governor was there to listen and got an earful at an afternoon meeting of tourism industry officials and business owners. Polite and respectful, the business owners told the governor that recent increases in property, sales and room taxes were going to hurt the local and regional economy. Calling the combination of the tax hikes, a decrease in state spending on tourism advertising and a rainy June “the perfect storm,” business owners reported between a 10 and 35 percent decrease in their business compared to last year.

“The [inn] bookings went from 10 or seven nights to five this year,” said Tom Walter, an owner of Crowne Pointe Historic Inn and Spa, talking about the average number of nights guests were staying.

“We expected a big boom in tour buses but a lot cancelled because people weren’t signing up. We’re having a tough time,” said Candy Collins-Boden, executive director of the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re down about 10 percent this summer. I’m happy it’s not worse considering the weather,” said Rob Costa, owner of Art’s Dune Tours. (Continue Reading-Source/WickedLocal)