GCVB Advisory Board discusses budget, COVID-19 response for local hoteliers

At its regular meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020, the Gonzales Convention and Visitors Advisory Board discussed possible amendments for its proposed 2020-2021 budget as well as difficulties being faced by local hoteliers.

As for budget amendments, the largest is in regard to the budget for the Gonzales Visitors Center, which proposed a necessary contribution of $43,475.26 for its budget from the GCVB.

Applications for funds to cover corporate marketing fees for three local hotels were discussed. The application for the Days Inn on Water Street, owned by Manny Patel, who asked the board for $4,960.80 to cover required marketing fees to maintain Wyndham Hotels, which owns Days Inn, branding was approved by the board. An application from the Best Western located on East Sarah DeWitt Drive, owned by Nilesh Patel, was also approved for the amount of $4,723.97. A similar application from The Texas Lodge, also submitted by Nilesh Patel, was rejected on the grounds that an independently owned business does not have the same mandatory obligation required by corporate marketing fees.

Other agenda items which were discussed include:

The future consideration of a portable outdoor cinema screen to be purchased by Gonzales Main Street