Newport approves new tourism management district

NEWPORT, R.I. – Newport has approved a new agency to promote tourism.

The Newport Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/2y1JftV ) the city council voted to approve the creation of the Newport Tourism Marketing Management District Wednesday night. Discover Newport president and CEO Evan Smith founded the initiative.

Smith says the program will support more destination marketing for Newport and allow hoteliers to attend additional trade shows. Under the plan, participating hotels will charge a $1 fee each night to support the imitative. According to estimates, the fee could raise $338,000 annually.

Smith says nine members will decide how to spend the district funds.

Tourism districts have spread from California to the east coast. Cities like San Diego and San Francisco have raised millions annually from “tourism business improvement districts.”

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Information from: The Newport Daily News.