Superior City Council discusses how to manage tourism promotion and finances

Superior mayor Jim Paine is proposing the city move from a tourism entity to a tourism commission. And he hopes that commission uses 70% of hotel/motel tax for tourism promotion and development.

This decision puts local Superior tourism company Travel Superior’s future up in the air. As the City would reevaluate its relationship with them.

Tuesday’s City Council meeting touched heavily on this subject with about 35 members from the community in attendance.
Regarding the commission Mayor Jim Paine says, “That’s by far the most common tourism system in municipalities in Wisconsin. In fact the best tourism destinations in Wisconsin use this model."

And while some local businesses were in support of the commission others including Travel Superior were not. Saying that the company hasn’t had any problems attracting tourists and there is no need for change.

After the statements from the public, the council then voted against tabling the commission and began amending the ordinance. And after about an hour of discussion on the amendments the council then voted to refer the tourism discussion to a committee of a whole. Making the subject have its own meeting for a separate date.

But Travel Superior was hoping for the council to vote in their favor Tuesday. Travel Superior President and CEO Taylor Pedersen says he’s, “hopeful that it will give the council more time to consider what this ordinance really means. What its impact will be beyond tourism what it will be for the business speaking."

With that decision being pushed back the city has no planned date for when they will hold the meeting specifically about the tourism commission.