County Slashes Chasco Funding By Half

Kelly Hackman is going to be looking for new ways to market Chasco Fiesta to out–of-towners.

The Pasco County Tourist Development Council agreed last week to cut its annual grant to Chasco in half.

Hackman, who was named as executive director of Chasco this past May, said Chasco’s planners use the money to advertise Chasco to markets outside of Pasco. Chasco advertises on a range of venues, including radio and TV.

This year’s Chasco Fiesta, a long-running tradition in New Port Richey, attracted far fewer guests to local hotel rooms than last year’s.    

Chasco resulted in 126 recorded hotel room nights this year, according to Hackman. It netted 398 last years, Hackman said.

The tourist development council gave Chasco about $21,000 last year. It received only about $11, 000 toward this year's upcoming festival. 

Hackman said planners were disappointed in the cuts but also acknowledged the festival had drawn fewer people to Pasco hotels.

“We knew that the numbers weren’t as high as we wanted,” she said.

She said that advertising will be more difficult without the money and that it will be harder to increase overnight hotel stays. However, she is going to review alternate forms of marketing.

She also said folks won’t see any change in the multi-day festival’s offerings next year.

“Chasco’s going to be the same Chasco that everyone loves,” she said. 

Chasco isn’t the only event that saw its funding cut. The council also trimmed its support of Pasco events down to $50,000 from the original $80,000 proposed, according to an article in the Tampa Bay Times.  Events that saw moderate declines include Pasco EcoFest, the Kumquat Festival, Suncoast Arts Festival and Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, according to the article. 

What do you think Chasco should do to increase its tourist draw? Tell us by commenting below!