County Promotes Tourism to Fuel Economy

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will be asking the State Legislature to allow them to collect eight percent on hotel/motel tax. The County currently brings in five percent while the City of Douglasville collects
eight.

“We would like to utilize this tax to hire a full time museum curator who would also serve as a tourism director for the County,” said Chairman Tom Worthan.

The goals for this newly created position will be to bring in more visitors and increase the County’s visibility as a vacation destination. A few ways of meeting those goals include opening the museum five days a week, developing partnerships with the Film Commission and Development Authority as well as promoting the County on a global level. The old courthouse will serve as the central location for the person hired.

“Douglas County has a lot of things to see and do for those who are from different parts of Georgia, the United States or the World. The Hydrangea Festival already draws a diverse crowd with the potential to become a destination event for people from everywhere,” Worthan said.

If the legislature approves the request the County would then begin a selection process to find the right person to fill the job. Funding for this new position would come from the additional tax and would also provide money for marketing and promotional materials to assist the director.

“Finding the right person to lead our tourism efforts will be critical and is not
a decision that can be made overnight. Our plans will be to have the person in
place by 2014,” said Worthan.