The Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment provided an overview of the city’s efforts to promote tourism and manage upcoming events.

Council members raised questions regarding the inclusivity of the city’s tourism promotion, with a particular focus on ensuring that neighborhoods like Roxbury and Franklin Park are well represented. There were also concerns about tourism leading to displacement and the measures being taken to support small businesses in areas experiencing increased foot traffic.

The discussion then flowed into the city’s outreach and engagement strategies for large events, with Councilor Coletta inquiring about the impact of increased foot traffic in her district and offering assistance. The Office of Tourism, the Chief of Economic Development, and other council members discussed ongoing conversations with various partners to ensure effective communication, especially concerning public safety and transportation during major events like Sale Boston and the FIFA World Cup. Councilor Flynn urged the Office of Tourism to collaborate with FIFA to build practice fields for the 2026 event.

The meeting also delved into the need for finding alternative revenue sources and potential investments in the Office of Tourism to support collaborative work alongside the city.

The council’s concern for community inclusion and equity extended to the licensing processes, particularly regarding cannabis and liquor licenses. The council members addressed the challenges faced by cannabis industry operators, especially those with limited capital, and the risk of market oversaturation. There was a debate on whether the Cannabis Board should limit new businesses to mitigate oversaturation, despite meeting the state’s requirements. Moreover, the council discussed the importance of supporting the sustainability of businesses, especially for those in the equity division facing financial challenges.

The conversation around consumer affairs touched on common issues such as tenant-landlord disputes, home improvement contractor disputes, and consumer scams. The council explored the outreach efforts of the Consumer Affairs Office and the recent addition of a third consumer advocate. The council also raised concerns about diversity and language access within the departments, emphasizing the need for staff with language skills to assist non-English proficient individuals during hearings.

Liquor licenses were another topic of discussion, with the council members inquiring about the availability of licenses, neighborhood restrictions, and the unique factors considered in the application process. An emphasis was placed on legal standards and procedures under Massachusetts law, as well as on the role of the police in reviewing special event applications.

The council also addressed the need for more available liquor licenses in historically underserved neighborhoods, referencing a home rule petition sent to the legislature to address this issue. The role of EMS in supporting events and the need to increase staffing capacity to meet event demands were also discussed.

There was a commitment to address issues ensuring that all community members have opportunities to participate in and benefit from city events and licensing processes.