Mayor responds to article saying Charlotte has little to offer DNC visitors

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queen City's official slogan is "Charlotte's got a lot," but a new Reuters article picked up by media outlets across the country says Charlotte's got a little.

The article, written by reporter Andy Sullivan, says fewer politicians and lobbyists want to come for the Democratic National Convention because Charlotte has "few cultural attractions."

The NASCAR Hall of Fame was singled out by a Democratic lobbyist quoted in the article who said "going to the NASCAR Hall of Fame isn't reason enough to be in Charlotte."

But Mayor Anthony Foxx said he isn't fazed.

"You know, look, we are a great city," he said. "We're the 17th largest city in the country. We've got lots of things to offer."

Foxx said if more politicians are staying home for the DNC, it's likely to campaign during this tough election cycle.

He also dismissed the idea of Charlotte having "fewer cultural attractions" and said he sees next week as a chance to prove critics wrong.

"We're going to show 'em," he said. "We're going to spend the next couple of days showing the world what this city's made of."

Foxx questioned whether Sullivan had visited Charlotte before.

Eyewitness News asked him on Twitter.

Sullivan wrote back "Not yet. Looking forward to it next week!"

The head of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Tom Murray, said that's key.

"The easiest way for us to sell Charlotte as Charlotte's got a lot is to get people here to see it," he said.

Murray said hotels are nearly full and pointed out attractions like the Bechtler Museum, the Mint Museum, the Harvey B. Gantt Center, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Tourists from Tampa, Pat and Bob Fosnaught, were surprised when they heard about the article.

"I don't think that's right at all. I disagree," Pat Fosnaught said. "I'm impressed with the downtown architecture and the fact that you do have quite a bit of interesting things to see and do."

WSOC