‘Tourism Pays the Bills,’ Mayor Says

If Tourism Pays the Bills, Kelly and Mark are Akin to Hitting Jackpot

RANCHO MIRAGE — Excitement has been building for weeks as Kelly and Mark prepare to broadcast their talk show from one of America’s most beautiful and coveted vacation destinations: Greater Palm Springs.

Along with the “Live” family and lots of special celebrity guests, Kelly and Mark will be taking in all that Greater Palm Springs has to offer and will bring viewers at home along for the (golf cart) ride as they go hiking, hit the green, perfect their pickleball, ride the scenic Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and more.

It is boom for the tourism industry.

“Live with Kelly and Mark is an important event for the city,” Mayor Steve Downs told Uken Report. “As you know, tourism is the industry that pays the bills for most of the cities in the Coachella Valley — and that is certainly the case for us in Rancho Mirage. Transient Occupancy Tax represents about one-third of our annual revenues, so – it’s critical that we maintain a healthy city to business relationship with our major hotels.  The Westin, Omni, Ritz Carlton, and now Sensei are key to our economic success.

“This is one of the most widely watched daytime TV shows and in broadcasting from the Westin in Rancho Mirage, the show will have a big impact on the image of our city as a travel and leisure destination,” Downs said.  “Our understanding is that the advertising value in terms of impressions on potential travelers is in the millions of dollars.

The city agreed to help underwrite the show’s expenses in coming to the Westin., the mayor said. “Our share of the cost, as approved by Council, was $200,000.  We viewed this as a reasonable expense as it will result in advertising impressions with a value far in excess of our cost.  This is what sealed the deal for us – advertising impressions that will result in improving travel to our already desirable destination.  We believe that the value to our business community and to our resort hotel partners far outweighs the cost.  We believe this will be a solid economic boost for our city.”

Downs said he will attend two shows. “I plan to be with my City Council colleagues on a Sunday show and with my Visit Greater Palm Springs Joint Powers Authority colleagues (I sit on the Executive Committee) at a Monday show.”

Celebrity guests will include Don Johnson, Caroline Rhea, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jerry O’Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Kyle Richards, Mark Harmon, Justine Lupe and more all coming to join Kelly and Mark for fun in the sun. Plus, there will performances by Neon Trees and Bishop Briggs.

“Live” will be taping at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, outside on the 18h hole, in front of an audience of thousands of fans. The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is located on 360 acres of natural beauty with stunning views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains and lush green fairways. The popular resort offers pickleball, tennis, championship golf on the Pete Dye course, the luxurious Wellness Spa, renovated dual waterslides, culinary delights at multiple restaurants, private event space and so much more.

Greater Palm Springs is Southern California’s desert oasis—a place where nine cities blend into one extraordinary destination. With stunning landscapes and natural hot springs to lush palm groves and boundless sunshine, Greater Palm Springs offers the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and inspiration.