Dear editor, While it is well and fine to attract more visitors to the Napa Valley, we must do what we can to ensure our visitors will enjoy their time here.

In my view, the Napa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau visitor center has done a magnificent job toward that end. Staff and volunteers are highly professional, take great pride in our valley and are superb at their jobs.

I am puzzled that this center should be deemed not viable, since it has been supported by no fewer than 70 dedicated local citizens who donate their time and expertise, and also by 400 Napa Valley businesses (also being cut loose by the Napa Valley Destination Council) who pay dues and purchase advertising.

Considering the sheer number of wineries, restaurants, lodging options and activities available in Napa Valley, this can be a daunting place to visit for the uninitiated. Don’t we owe it to our visitors to help direct them to those business that best match their needs? Isn’t that also in the best interests of the businesses?

Also, doesn’t it stand to reason that serving our current visitors well and sending them home happy is a critical component of any plan to build our visitor base?

The loss of this visitor center would have been a blow to all of Napa Valley. I commend the Downtown Merchants Association for stepping in and allowing the center to remain open.

Don Rickard, president / Platypus Tours