Despite anti-tourism rhetoric, organizers vow to “hear from different points of view”
How much is too much? The question of tourism impacts on the community will be the topic of a public forum held next week, but for organizers, it appears that the question may have already been answered.
A flyer promoting a May 31 “Tourism Sustainability Forum” states that, “Healdsburg’s small town charm and unique qualities are at risk of disappearing from too much success in attracting out-of-town visitors.”
The flyer, put out by a community group called the Healdsburg Coalition lists impacts of “too much tourism,” including “lack of affordable housing options,” “parking problems,” “the drinking culture,” “congestion” and more.
Janis Watkins, one of the event organizers, said: “We’re a tourist town; I don’t think there’s any question about that. We do take the point of view that there are some problems. We’re raising an issue and we hope we can work towards solving problems.”
According to Watkins, the forum will be moderated by Padi Selwyn, a founder of Preserve Rural Sonoma County.
One of the scheduled speakers is Judith Olney, the chair of the Clean Water Coalition of Northern Sonoma County.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Healdsburg Community Center at 1557 Healdsburg Avenue.
Watkins said her group is especially concerned about the impact of the tourism industry on housing prices. “We’re losing valuable members of our community” (to high housing costs), she said.
Childcare and Spanish language interpreting will be available at the event.
Carla Howell, the executive director of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, said she doesn’t intend to attend the forum. “I haven’t been invited and I don’t know anything about it,” Howell said.
Watkins said she hopes, “we can hear from different points of view and have a discussion,” about tourism.
