http://www.box.net/shared/static/4pautr8vd5

Methods For Local CVBs To Facilitate Financial Support For Sustainable Tourism Practices Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray Center for Tourism Research and Development Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management University of Florida penngray@hhp.ufl.edu

Gainesville, Alachua County • Located in the North Central region of Florida • Alachua County is located in the heart of north central Florida about 120 miles north of Orlando.

• It is considered a medium sized county in Florida, with just under 200,000 residents (Figure 11.2).

History of Sustainable Tourism in Gainesville, Alachua County • In 1996, a non-profit, public interest organization called Sustainable Alachua County was formed • One of the main missions is to change public and private policies in order to protect the environment and ensure an equitable society and healthy community

Adoption of Eco-heritage tourism • In June 1997, a one-day summit was held to discuss goals for sustainability • One of the main goals involved tourism • Written into the sustainable plan was to keep tourism: low impact, managing carrying capacity, respecting local heritage, culture and nature, respect for local inventory, not trading the community for economic gain and promote ecoheritage tourism

Tourism Vision & Plan • In 2000, a tourism workshop was held to develop a plan for sustainable tourism in the community • This plan is now used to guide decisions for tourism in the County • The main principles of the plan subscribe to the following definitions…

Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Sustainable travel is: "Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future."

Video Gainesville, FL

Tourism Development • Florida Statue 125.0104 governs • 9 body board appointed by the Board of County Commission • As an advisory board • Oversees distribution/spending of ‘bed tax’ • Made up of 3 from the lodging sector, 3 elected officials (one from largest municipality, two from others), 3 citizens

Bed Tax Distribution: Alachua County

3rd cent 33%

1st cent 34%

1st cent 2nd cent 3rd cent

2nd cent 33%

Alachua County TDC

Bed Tax: Alachua County 1ST AND 2ND CENT BOCC grant 1%

VCB- WELCOME CENTER, GSOC, BID POOL, OVERHEAD BOCC grant

VCB- WELCOME CENTER, GS OC, BID POOL, OVERHEAD 99%

Alachua County TDC

Bed Tax: Alachua County 3RD CENT Conference Grant 10%

Destination Enhancement/Tourism Destination Enhancement Conference Grant

Destination Enhancement/Tourism Destination Enhancement 90%

Alachua County TDC

1st & 2nd Cent and Responsibility to sustainable tourism • the BOCC special projects fund was implemented for a short period due to a large fund balance which the TDC felt could be spent down on sustainable tourism capital projects • Let’s review!

BOCC grant • Special attention was paid to legal projects (use of the money appropriately) but the other main area was use for sustainable purposes.. • See attached grant scoring sheet

3rd Cent and Responsibility to sustainable tourism • The two areas covered by the 3rd cent have extensive grant procedures which implement the principles of sustainability • Let’s review each separately!

Conference Grant • The purpose is to enhance Alachua County as a destination by contributing to the development of tourism as allowed by Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, Chapter 38 of the Alachua County Code of Ordinances. • Priority for grant funding will be given to projects that have the greatest potential for bringing visitors to Alachua County who will stay in overnight in hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, RV parks and campgrounds.

Conference Grant • The Scoring Matrix (see handout) – Environmental – Social – Economic

Tourism Enhancement Program • The purpose is to enhance Alachua County as a destination. Priority for all tourist development funding will be given to projects that have the greatest potential of bringing visitors to Alachua County who will stay overnight in hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns, RV parks and campgrounds as well as components affecting the social and environmental impacts on Alachua County.

Tourism Enhancement Program • Not the same amount of attention to three pillars of sustainability • But does pay attention to – Sustainability long term – Benefits for residents (holistically)

• This form is being redesigned in January with the aid of a Consultant

What have we learned as a destination?

• Even with attention to the components- doesn’t ensure sustainability and ecotourism principles • Constant revision is needed to allow for better perspectives • Applicants will tell you what you want to hear- so it is important to have tangible and concrete proof of what they say they do • All stakeholders must be dedicated to the principles for it to work or it falls apart

Where do we go from here?

• Better follow-up • More use of other examples from other communities (we have been fairly insular) • Better educational program for both community applicants as well as BOCC – because people can change and also over time people forget

Thank You! For more information please call Lori Pennington-Gray 352-392-4042 x1318 penngray@hhp.ufl.edu