Shreveport-Bossier City could see direct benefits

When voters head to the polls in Bossier and Caddo parishes Nov. 21, there will be a proposed hotel/motel tax increase on the ballot. If passed, hotel guests would pay approximately $1.10 per night per hotel room. The funds would provide $1.7 million annually to be shared by the Shreveport- Bossier Sports Commission, Independence Bowl Foundation and Regional Air Service Alliance. These funds would spur economic development through increased airline service along with improvements to area sports venues and facilities that host these sporting events. If you do not stay in a local hotel, you will not pay this tax. If you have traveled to other areas of the state or country, you are already paying a similar tax which helps other cities fund their own economic initiatives.

Robert Berry, executive director of the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation Park, understands the value of sports tourism. Berry partnered with the SBSC and cohosted the North American Flyboard Championships, USA Wakeboard Nationals and the Regions 3D Archery tournament in 2015 which brought over 10,000 visitors to the park. The infrastructure Berry has constructed at the park allows residents from both parishes to enjoy these improvements year-round along with hosting these sporting and other community events.

Locals like Robert “Superman” Blount with Fit for Life, Frank Penny with the National Black Rodeo Championships, and Nelson and Marla Hoyas with Thunder Road Raceway in Gilliam understand the SBSC’s role and how a stronger airport benefits our communities mutually. If additional funding is available, larger sporting events can be brought into Caddo and Bossier parishes as early as the spring of 2016.

“Sports are the most dependable part of the travel industry and it’s a people business,” Talty O’Connor, publisher of SportsEvents Media Group, said. He brought more than 200 people to Shreveport-Bossier City two weeks ago, 60 of who were sports organizers, for the annual Sports Relationship Conference.

“Shreveport-Bossier City must have funding to compete and bring in sporting events since you are in the middle of one of the most competitive sports regions in the country. Many cities in your region have already secured funding to win these sporting events,” he said.

Direct visitor spending brought in more than $21 million in local taxes in 2014, according to the Economic Impact of Tourism on Louisiana Parishes report. These dollars benefit residents because the city and parish leaders use these dollars for road maintenance, crime prevention, education and venue improvements.

Our citizens’ primary concern is securing and adding more jobs. By bringing additional flights and sporting events year-round, we secure and grow our local tourism industries’ more than 40,000 jobs, which is now one of the largest employers locally.

The Independence Bowl Foundation has a 40-year history of putting on the largest sporting event in Northwest Louisiana, along with 15 other events which take place throughout both parishes annually.

RASA would use their funds to negotiate with airlines to add direct flights to Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, N.C. and Chicago, Ill. These flights not only provide national businesses, Barksdale Air Force Base and military personnel direct access to Shreveport-Bossier City and increase job opportunities, but also benefits those who use the airport for business or family travel.

The sports commission would use the funds to generate more sporting events that spur improvements at parks including Cargill and Tinsley, along with other venues such as the Hirsch Coliseum and the Red River South Marina. This in turn improves the quality of life and health of our local citizens.

Kelly Wells is the vice president of sports and tourism for the Shreveport- Bossier Sports Commission. The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission is a division of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau in partnership with the city of Shreveport, Caddo Parish Commission, Bossier Parish Police Jury and the city of Bossier. Visit our website: www. shreveportbossiersports.com or email Kelly Wells at [email protected].