Catalina Is Still in Good Financial Health

After reading “Catalina Weighs Growth Options as Tourism Ebbs” [July 4], I felt compelled to write and correct some misinformation.

Contrary to what the story says, Catalina Island is alive and well and will continue to be so indefinitely. Although the story worked hard to force the impression that the island is struggling to attract visitors, the reality is quite different.

The story says business has been “lackluster” for the last several years. However, 1999 and 2000 were record years for visitor counts, with 7.2% and 4.8% increases over the previous year--hardly what most people would consider lackluster.

It also cites as evidence of the island’s failing financial health the fact that one of the cross-channel carriers ceased operation last fall, unable to fill its seats. A bit of reporting would have revealed that the cross-channel carrier closed its doors due to mismanagement and the fact that its high-speed catamaran was repossessed--it’s difficult to fill seats on a ship to Catalina when that ship is in Seattle.

Granted, visitor counts are down slightly from last year due to the loss of that cross-channel carrier; however, the remaining carriers report record counts and sold-out trips.

As publisher of the island’s largest newspaper for the last six years, the picture I see of Catalina is completely different from the one the story paints. Our beaches are full, scuba divers have made the island the most popular dive destination on the West Coast and tax revenues are up.

Development is limited, but residents and visitors alike find that a refreshing change from the pave-it-all attitude that prevails on the Southern California mainland.

For the last hundred years, visitors have flocked to the island to enjoy its many charms. The next century shows every promise of the island’s continuing allure.

Sherri Walker

Publisher

Catalina Islander

Avalon