Dominating the cover page for the Perspective section is an article with large photo entitled: “Amish no longer dominate tourism in Lancaster County.”
It goes on to say: “Part of the PDCVB’s [Tourist Bureau] income was revenue from the much-maligned hotel tax. With that portion of its budget pulled because of missed benchmarks by the Lancaster County Convention Center, the advertising budget took a hit in the last two years. Relying heavily on that budget line proved costly, but not as costly as is perceived. The Tourism Economics report proves that direct marketing by the PDCVB has little impact on the overall visitation numbers. During the fat years of marketing spending, in which millions of dollars were spent in major metropolitan media markets, and in the lean years of 2012 and 2013, in which every penny for marketing spending was pinched, tourism visitation remained steady at the 8 million to 10 million mark.”
WATCHDOG: We are not in the position to critique the author’s contentions, although it seems a stretch that additional advertising would not attract more visitors. We will leave the rebuttal to the on-line response
by Tourist Bureau president Kathleen Frankford.
We do strenuously objectto the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. once again publishing a self-serving article to further its business interests pertaining to the Convention Center / Marriott Hotel Project.
This article is a back handed attempt to excuse 1) the depriving of the Tourist Bureau of its share of the hotel room sales tax to in order to avoid Convention Center bankruptcy and 2) subsidiaries of Dale High and of the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. refusal to participate in and contribute towards the Martin Plan, by returning some their ill gotten gains from the initial arrangements.
The article either should have been identified as an Editorial, an Op-Ed, or, minimally, the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.’s financial interest in the Convention Center Project should have been acknowledged.
Despite new management blood, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. continues its same self-serving and journalistically unethical practices when its financial interests and that of its business friends are involved. It has turned its back on honorably acknowledging past mistakes and offenses and asking pardon of the public. It seems determined to pursue its craven business practices, the public be damned.
It is sad to say that today’s Steinman family apparently considers itself above ethical standards.
LNP lost any remaining ethics and conscience when it joined with the High family to create PSP. Lancaster county is poorer, and will remain poorer, because of this.
There simply are no words to adequately explain or excuse LNP’s attitude toward it’s subscribers, advertisers and the general public.
The public of Lancaster County will never be fully and honestly informed as long s the current ownership. management and editorial staff remain in place.