Seattle Times suggests Victoria tourism boycott over sewage

Victoria's mayor says the city needs to do a better job of letting its Washington neighbours know it has a handle on the Capital Regional District's sewage situation.

Last week, the Seattle Times published aneditorial on Victoria's constipated political process,suggesting it's time for a tourism boycottunless the districtmakes progress getting a treatment system up and running.

"The failure is an embarrassment for stately Victoria, and it undermines the rigorous work to clean up Puget Sound," the editorial said.

Mayor Lisa Helpssays the editorial's timing is ironic, coming days after the districtannounced what she calls a big step forward hiring consultants to cost out potential new sites and appointing an independent oversightpanel.

"We need to do a better job of briefing the Seattle media," she said.

She responded to the newspaper with a letter, promising the end is in sight.

The Times also mentionedVictoria's self-styled "number two mascot," Mr.Floatie.

"He's become emblematic of the issue, and quite seriously once we have a plan in place the zoning in place the plan approved by the minister I am going to invite Mr.Floatieto a retirement party. We'll get some good local beer and do it up Victoria style," said Helps.

"We really are making key steps forward and we're doing it at a rapid clip."

Sewage not deterring tourists

It's not the first time the Timeshas taken Victoria to task. It endorsed a Washington state tourism boycott in 1993.

But Victoria's sewage challenge has not deterred tourists so far this season. After city hotels recorded a record June, with an 83 per cent occupancy rate,July numbers due out in days show that's climbed even higher up to 89 per cent last month.

"It's a very, very strong season any way you cut it," said Tourism Victoria presidentPaulNursey.

He said the U.S. market is a key source of tourism for Victoria and he hopes the sewage treatment situation doesn't flush away all the gains the district has made this season.

"It comes up every couple of years and it's understandable," saidNursey. "We'veseenthis before, and we may see it again until the sewage treatment plant is actually completed, but it's not something we're too concerned about. What we are really concerned about is sharing the information properly about the progress that we are making."