The latest development in a months-long drama over tourism marketing in Beaufort, S.C., came last week in the form of an open letter that was published locally in the Beaufort Gazette and the Island Packet. Written by Dick Stewart, board chairman of the recently-formed Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau, the letter directly addressed the question of whether or not the CVB should merge with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, the public body in charge of tourism marketing in Beaufort since 1980.The two organizations—both of which say they want to raise Beaufort's destination profile among travelers—were in conversations up until recently about the possibility of a merger. Conversations ceased, however, over the issue of spending priorities."After the CVB began operations [in 2008] it became apparent that the Chamber was not viewing the CVB as a potential cooperative activity," Stewart explained in his letter. "In December, I contacted the Chamber and initiated discussions about combining the organizations. After several meetings, the Chamber decided to terminate discussions."At issue, according to Stewart, is the way in which the Chamber spends its public tourism dollars. Up until recently, he argued, the Chamber has neglected tourism marketing and spent tax dollars earmarked for that purpose on other projects.Because his organization could now possibly compete for those dollars, Stewart said the Chamber has finally changed its tune about tourism and is currently discussing several initiatives designed to promote travel to Beaufort."I am delighted that the Chamber is beginning to focus on tourism," he wrote. "I started working on the Beaufort Port Royal CVB when it became evident the Chamber was not focused on tourism marketing and I told the Chamber in advance what I was doing and why. I was surprised by the hostile reaction from some Chamber staff. The reason was made clear to me during a recent meeting when a Chamber representative explained that the only reason they were at the meeting is because we don't want to lose the tourism marketing money."While he is still open to merging his CVB with the Chamber, Stewart said he will only do so if tourism marketing dollars are spent on tourism marketing activities."Is it desirable to combine the Chamber and CVB? It can be if, and only if, the combined entity is focused on marketing tourism in our area only," he concluded in his letter. "In these challenging economic times it is absolutely critical that every available tourism marketing dollar be spent in a way that helps our local businesses, homeowners and taxpayers. This focus is more important than combining the entities."