Earlier today, the U.S. Commerce Department unveiled how it will invest the $3 billion it was awarded in the Administration's American Rescue Plan. Within that pot of resources, $750 has been earmarked for "Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation." That's the good news.
Far from bad news (but not ideal), Destination Marketing Organizations are, again, not specifically named among the eligible entities to apply for funds through the Economic Development Administration (I mean really, WTF?). However, smart DMOs that have built mutually beneficial relationships with their Economic Development Agencies and local and State governments should be on the horn this afternoon (tomorrow at the latest) to outline how these funds can be most appropriately invested. After all, who knows better what our destinations need than DMOs?
And, don't limit your recommendations to the Tourism Fund...the other 5 funds underneath the $3 billion umbrella can easily be imagined to assist our communities build back better within a tourism lens. Just because it doesn't say "Tourism" doesn't mean we can't also recommend joint-venture projects that bring back jobs or provide planning assistance for our communities.
DMOs that don't have a relationship that permits that phone call and meeting by week's end? This is the wake-up call that you need to build that relationship by year's end.
Ready. Set. Go.
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