From: Vipe Desai
To: [email protected]
Cc: Kelly Miller; Omark Holmes; Nicole Llido
Subject: SIMA TBID Letter
Date: Monday, May 6, 2024 5:15:09 PM
Attachments: SIMA TBID Letter.pdf
On behalf of the Surf Industry Members Association, I’m submitting the attached letter in support of adopting Resolution No. 2024-13, to declare the City’s intention to modify the Management District Plan for the Huntington Beach Tourism BID.
Best,
Vipe
Vipe Desai | Executive Director
Surf Industry Members Association
949.243.6400
5/7/2024
28 (24-313)
MondayMay6th,2024
DearMayorandCityCouncil,
I’mwritinginsupportofadoptingResolutionNo.2024-13,todeclaretheCity’sintentiontomodifytheManagementDistrictPlanfortheHuntingtonBeachTourismBID.
Mynameis VipeDesai,andI serveastheExecutiveDirectorfortheSurfIndustryMembersAssociation(SIMA),thenationaltradeassociationrepresentingvariousfacetsofthesurfindustry, includingsurfshops,boardbuilders,brands,athletes,events,andmediaentities.
Whileourinvolvementmaynotdirectlyalignwiththehotelorshort-termrentalsectors,it'scrucialtorecognizethatsurftourismis integraltothebroadertourismindustry. Assurf tourismgainsmomentumglobally, especiallywith the upcomingOlympicsspotlightingthesport,SurfCityUSAhastheopportunityto leadandleveragethisgrowinginteresttobenefitlocalbusinesses.
I’dliketosharesomepertinentstatistics:● ArecentreportbytheSFIAidentifiessurfingasthefastest-growingwatersportinAmerica.● AnAustralianstudyunderscoressurfing'scontributiontoglobalhealthbenefits,estimatedatastaggering$1trillion.● AccordingtothelatestSFIAparticipationreport,surfingparticipationhassurgedby8%,surpassingthegrowthratefrom2022to2021by1%.
Whensurftourismflourishes,sodoesSurfCityUSA.Surfingconstitutesa significantaspectofthiscity'sidentity, generatingincrementalrevenueacrossvarioussectorssuchasparking,retail,restaurants,andhotels.It sustainsemploymentandfortifiesthelocaleconomy, makingHuntingtonBeachacherisheddestinationforsurfersworldwide.
Giventhattourismstandsasa primaryrevenuestreamforVisitHuntingtonBeach,it'simperativeto ensurethateffortsaredirectedtowardattractingvisitorstothecity. Byimplementinga TBIDmodification,VisitHuntingtonBeachcancontinueitsmissiontobolsterlocalbusinesses.
SIMAhascollaboratedcloselywithVisit HuntingtonBeachandcitystaff to fundinitiativesaimedatenhancingthevisitorexperience.Thisdevelopmentisexceptionallypromisingas it notonlyelevatestheareabutalsobenefitslocalbusinessesandresidentsbyincreasingfoottrafficandsubsequentincome.
I firmlybelievethatthismodificationwillnotonlybolstersurftourismbutalsoprovideasignificantboontolocalbusinessowners.Thecitystandstogainfromincreasedsalestaxrevenueandothereconomicbenefits,renderingitamutuallybeneficialendeavor.
I hopefortheCityCouncil'ssupportinthismatter.
Thankyouforyourattentionandconsideration.
Best,
VipeDesaiExecutiveDirectorSurfIndustryMembersAssociation 7171WarnerAve.B13| HuntingtonBeach,CA92647