Some of Sacramento’s historic sites got a facelift Friday.
250 volunteers with the organization “Tourism Cares” woke up early to renovate and repair parts of Old Sacramento, Sutter’s Fort, and the old cemetery. They made the effort because beautifying the area boosts tourism, which means big bucks for the area.
“We see over 15 million visitors a year,” said Mike Testa with the Sacramento Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, “They contribute $2.4 billion into our local economy.”
Many of the people volunteering are with local businesses and organizations. JT Thompson is a ticket sales specialist for the Sacramento Kings and wanted to help because tourism helps the team and city. “We like to get as many people out to see the games to support the team,” he said.
But not all the volunteers were from the area. Dan Sullivan is the CEO of Collette Vacations which is based out of Rhode Island. He traveled all the way to Sacramento to help because his business runs tours in the city every week. Sullivan added the area has a lot to offer to tourists, “Great trains with Union Pacific, got the Delta and old steamboat. People want that. They want nostalgia.”
While the beautifying brings in tourists, Testa added there’s a benefit for those of us who live here, “We get to enjoy it too.”
