Fact or Fiction? A Tourism Improvement District is the enemy of locals. Hint: the answer is FICTION!
A Tourism Improvement District (TID) is a public-private partnership that generates funds to support destination marketing, beautification projects, and other initiatives that improve the tourism industry. And while its primary purpose is to enhance tourism, it’s much more than that—it’s also a robust economic development tool that helps fund community services that local residents get even more benefit from than one-time visitors.
The Economic Development Division manages the City of Napa's share of the Napa Valley Tourism Improvement District (NVTID) funding through the Napa TID's Local Governing Committee. The Committee promotes lodging properties and supports local activities and products that enhance tourism and hospitality efforts.
The NVTID receives its funding from an additional 2% TID assessment to Transit Occupancy Taxes upon lodging businesses. That means that this funding is purely sourced from visitors staying in a Napa hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast for fewer than 30 days—not from local taxpayers. The 2% TID assessments are collected and dedicated solely for efforts aimed at promoting tourism across Napa Valley and in each of Napa County's jurisdictions.
Local lodging businesses are a lifeline to the TID, which creates mutual benefits for lodging business owners (increased stays), the City (more business activity), and the community at-large (fun community events, local beautification, and increased job opportunities).
In fact, Napa’s TID recently funded the City’s Lighted Art Festival, a favorite event to both Napans and visitors. Learn more about the TID’s involvement in the festival in our Lighted Art Festival highlight!
Does your organization have an idea for a program that would make Napa even more special to tourists and residents alike? The City is now accepting applications for TID grants. These grants can fund a variety of projects that support tourism and enhance the visitor experience, such as special events, community and cultural arts programming, tourism-related streetscape enhancement and maintenance, seasonal tourism programs, transportation programs, community-based programs, trails and signage, and municipal services to tourism-related areas.
Applications for TID grants are now open until March 24. Learn more and apply now!