Mobile’s tourism and lodging industries are celebrating an initiative they say will increase the amount of revenue Visit Mobile had to spend on marketing itself to potential visitors.
Civitas joined forces with Kent “Spike” Blackinton, President of the Mobile Area Lodging Association, Margo Gilbert, General Manager of the Renaissance Battle House Hotel, along with Visit Mobile President and CEO, David Clark, to blaze a trail for tourism in Alabama. This journey included passing State Tourism Improvement District Legislation in 2019 to enable Mobile to form the first TID in Alabama!
Amidst the devastating impacts to the tourism industry during the COVID-19 Pandemic, on May 12, 2020, the Mobile Tourism Improvement District was born. With an assessment rate of $1 per occupied room night, the funds generated by the TID will provide a massive boost in destination sales and marketing efforts. Mobile has become better positioned for recovery with a supercharge of supplemental marketing funds. The district will also support leisure marketing activities, capture bookings in the meetings marketplace, secure new business opportunities, and ensure industry growth in the years ahead.
“The Tourism Improvement District is a game-changer and is a terrific example of what coming together can do to raise the bar in elevating lodging and tourism in our great city,” says Blackinton. “Our lodging partners are united and are ready to be innovative to produce positive results. All stakeholders win.”
The Visit Mobile team spearheaded the project, stayed the course through uncharted territory with commitment and conviction that truly inspired us. The future is bright in Mobile!
