Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Tourism in the Richmond Region is expected to see positive momentum in the coming years thanks to a new 2% fee on nightly hotel rates.
Richmond Region Tourism Executive Vice President Katherine O'Donnell says the fee, introduced under the Tourism Improvement District (TID), will generate more than $8 million annually and thereby double the nonprofit's budget. That money will help drive visitors to the Richmond region.
"We'll be using those funds to advertise more, use it for incentives, to bring in more sports and meetings and conventions," says O'Donnell. "The additional funds will drive more visitors, who will then stay in hotels and spend money in shops and restaurants and attractions and support all the things that make living in the Richmond region wonderful."
She calls the TID a "gamechanger" for tourism in the Richmond area, which is made up of seven localities including Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield. The nonprofit began collecting the fee July 1.
O'Donnell says it's "exciting time" in the Richmond region for tourism development. There are a number of projects in the pipeline that will help attract visitors and boost tourism spending.
In the fall, an indoor sports facility will be opening at the former site of Virginia Center Commons in the Henrico area. The upcoming City Center Project will spur the development of a hotel, housing, offices, and green space in a 9.4 acre portion of the downtown area.
