Museum of Man Gets $112K Grant for
Its General Fund
Earlier this month, the Travel Industry Association reported that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there hasn’t been a change in the number of Americans planning to travel.
Results from the group’s Travel Confidence Survey, a 1,000-person phone survey conducted Oct. 12-14, indicated no changes from a similar survey done Sept. 21-23. The first study found 58 percent of Americans had plans to take a leisure trip within the next six months.
Although the news so far indicates travel seems to be returning to normal, the industry is still is very fragile, said William S. Norman, TIA president and CEO.
“Gains could be lost quickly if some event further shakes consumer confidence,” Norman said. “We still have a long road ahead as we work to rebuild confidence in U.S. travel.”
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Budget Boost:
The San Diego Museum of Man recently received a $112,500 two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
According to a release issued by the museum, director Doug Sharon said the funds will be used for general operating expenses, specifically education, exhibits, research and increasing membership.
The grant is unusual because it doesn’t fund a specific program or exhibit, according to Melinda Newsome, the museum’s development director.
The Museum of Man was one of seven museums in the state to win the grant. Among the others was the Museum of Photographic Arts, which is also located in Balboa Park.
Checking In:
SeaWorld San Diego has been selling tickets to the theme park online for nearly two years, sending customers their tickets via mail within a few days. As of Oct. 8, SeaWorld’s redesigned Web site gives customers the option of printing the tickets, which have a bar code that allows access at the park’s turnstiles. According to park spokesman Bob Tucker, 77 percent of the online ticket buyers are now printing the tickets for themselves. The park would not disclose the number of customers who buy the online tickets. Legoland California and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have struck a deal that makes the children’s theme park the only attraction to sell the baked goods. No financial details were disclosed. The San Diego Historical Society recently adopted a new corporate identity. According to the society’s newsletter, local firm Naegeli & Crouch did the project for a significantly reduced cost. Nathan Slovatizki recently joined locally based Big City Chefs. Slovatizki was most recently executive chef at Gaslamp Quarter restaurant Tupelo, which closed last month.
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Funds Raised:
Earlier this month, the San Diego Zoological Society received $30,000 from the Iams Co. and Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.
Through in-store promotions and a direct-mail offer, Petco Stores offered a chance to win a trip to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. Iams donated 50 cents per bag of dog and cat food sold during August.
According to the Zoological Society’s marketing department, the check will go to the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species.
The deadline for the next tourism & hospitality column is Thursday, Nov. 1. Rodrigues can be reached at (858) 277-6359, Ext. 107, or via e-mail at trodrigues@sdbj.com.
