I appreciate the coverage on recent TBID updates. One important point is the June 12 TBID meeting will address a potential shift from the '89 law to the '94 law. That’s a major change in how the district operates and will eventually trigger a protest vote from stakeholders (lodging partners).
The meeting isn’t listed on the city calendar, likely due to the absence of a formal agenda, but without any direct outreach, it risks slipping by unnoticed, especially in light of the unusual schedule.
Director Dusastre noted a welcome letter and newsletter in her recent presentation. Now would be the time to follow through on that initiative. Lodging partners deserve to know this conversation is happening, and a fresh start on outreach couldn’t come at a better time.
The TBID grant program specifically mentioned Wonder Valley and Desert Heights in its sphere of influence. Both areas, while technically unincorporated, are identified as "Twentynine Palms 92277" on OTA platforms (like Airbnb and Vrbo), other places like real estate listings (zillow, redfin) and mapping such as google maps.
To a traveler, Wonder Valley and Desert Heights are part of 29 Palms. And the crossover is real: visitors fuel up, dine, shop, and stay in 29 Palms. These areas rely on city services and contribute to city revenue through sales tax, gas tax, (and TOT when staying in City of 29 Palms lodging).
Conversely, including Joshua Tree in the grant program works against the core mission of TBID, which is to promote Twentynine Palms as a destination in its own right, not as an afterthought to Joshua Tree. JT has its own hotels, gas stations, services, and a large number of vacation rentals.
The grant program represents a major investment of $200,000 annually to support local events that attract visitors and, most importantly, encourage them to stay in Twentynine Palms. Unlike Joshua Tree, Wonder Valley and Desert Heights may have vacation rentals but lack hotels and city services.
The reality... when you attend an event in Joshua Tree, you look for a place to stay in Joshua Tree. That’s expected. But when an event lists its location as Twentynine Palms, whether it's actually in the City limits, Wonder Valley, or Desert Heights, it shows as Twentynine Palms, 92277. That carries weight. It speaks to perception and what really matters...the branding of Twentynine Palms and the mission of TBID to grow Visit29 as a unique destination all its own.
Are you absolutely positive that VHRs outside the city limits, that are not permitted by the city contribute TOT to the city? If they are permitted by the county wouldn’t that go to the county?
Properties outside of the City of Twentynine Palms (i.e. Wonder Valley & Desert Heights) are permitted through SBC, follow SBC ordiannces and pay TOT to the County.
However, those locations, WV & DH are listed with physcial addresses using Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. So perception for branding and visitors is that those areas are "Twentynine Palms". Notably, visitors staying in WV & DH are most likely to utilize City of 29 Palms services for things like groceries, gas, shops and eateries. That is where the city benefits from cross over.
But to clarify. NO, if a property is located in Wonder Valley or Desert Heights - TOT is paid to the County.
Edit: ToT reference relates to events held within the sphere of influence, let's use The Palms in Wonder Valley, but visitors choose to stay within city limits at a hotel or vacation rental... in that case. The event is in Wonder Valley (SBC) but ToT would be paid to the City of 29 Palms.
I appreciate the coverage on recent TBID updates. One important point is the June 12 TBID meeting will address a potential shift from the '89 law to the '94 law. That’s a major change in how the district operates and will eventually trigger a protest vote from stakeholders (lodging partners).
The meeting isn’t listed on the city calendar, likely due to the absence of a formal agenda, but without any direct outreach, it risks slipping by unnoticed, especially in light of the unusual schedule.
Director Dusastre noted a welcome letter and newsletter in her recent presentation. Now would be the time to follow through on that initiative. Lodging partners deserve to know this conversation is happening, and a fresh start on outreach couldn’t come at a better time.
Lots to cover...let's talk sphere of influence.
The TBID grant program specifically mentioned Wonder Valley and Desert Heights in its sphere of influence. Both areas, while technically unincorporated, are identified as "Twentynine Palms 92277" on OTA platforms (like Airbnb and Vrbo), other places like real estate listings (zillow, redfin) and mapping such as google maps.
To a traveler, Wonder Valley and Desert Heights are part of 29 Palms. And the crossover is real: visitors fuel up, dine, shop, and stay in 29 Palms. These areas rely on city services and contribute to city revenue through sales tax, gas tax, (and TOT when staying in City of 29 Palms lodging).
Conversely, including Joshua Tree in the grant program works against the core mission of TBID, which is to promote Twentynine Palms as a destination in its own right, not as an afterthought to Joshua Tree. JT has its own hotels, gas stations, services, and a large number of vacation rentals.
The grant program represents a major investment of $200,000 annually to support local events that attract visitors and, most importantly, encourage them to stay in Twentynine Palms. Unlike Joshua Tree, Wonder Valley and Desert Heights may have vacation rentals but lack hotels and city services.
The reality... when you attend an event in Joshua Tree, you look for a place to stay in Joshua Tree. That’s expected. But when an event lists its location as Twentynine Palms, whether it's actually in the City limits, Wonder Valley, or Desert Heights, it shows as Twentynine Palms, 92277. That carries weight. It speaks to perception and what really matters...the branding of Twentynine Palms and the mission of TBID to grow Visit29 as a unique destination all its own.
Are you absolutely positive that VHRs outside the city limits, that are not permitted by the city contribute TOT to the city? If they are permitted by the county wouldn’t that go to the county?
For clarification.
Properties outside of the City of Twentynine Palms (i.e. Wonder Valley & Desert Heights) are permitted through SBC, follow SBC ordiannces and pay TOT to the County.
However, those locations, WV & DH are listed with physcial addresses using Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. So perception for branding and visitors is that those areas are "Twentynine Palms". Notably, visitors staying in WV & DH are most likely to utilize City of 29 Palms services for things like groceries, gas, shops and eateries. That is where the city benefits from cross over.
But to clarify. NO, if a property is located in Wonder Valley or Desert Heights - TOT is paid to the County.
Edit: ToT reference relates to events held within the sphere of influence, let's use The Palms in Wonder Valley, but visitors choose to stay within city limits at a hotel or vacation rental... in that case. The event is in Wonder Valley (SBC) but ToT would be paid to the City of 29 Palms.