In early 2016, the Carmel Hospitality Improvement District (CHID) was created through a combined effort of Visit Carmel and Civitas. A 1% assessment on gross overnight rooms revenue was put in place to fund programs directed toward increasing room night sales.
Now, nearly three years later, how is it doing?
Carmel’s cultural and natural attractions are soaring in attention and favor. As merely a small sampling from 2018, it was included in “50 Top Small Towns to Visit” by U.S. News and World Report, named one of “The World’s Most Romantic Cities” by Travel and Leisure, and featured in Smarter Travel for “a surprising number of utopian small choices, creating an unfamiliarity akin to discovering yourself unexpectedly in a new country.”
This translates to real results, with travelers staying at area hotels. From Visit Carmel: “Tourism is the leading industry in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and generated more than $6.3 million in hotel tax revenue over the last 12 months, which directly benefits its residents and businesses.
