(A) Purpose.
(1) The Tourism and Visitor Promotion Committee shall make recommendations to City Council on, and establish guidelines for, the advertisement and promotion of tourism for the city using the 30% accommodation tax funds received from the state pursuant to S.C. Code § 6-4-10 et seq.
(2) Thirty percent of the accommodations taxes received from the state, plus any interest earned, and funds from any other source shall be placed in a special designated fund and used for advertising and promotion of tourism to develop and increase tourist attendance through the generation of publicity. The funds will remain until such time as the funds are distributed. Any funds not distributed by the close of the fiscal year shall be carried over and used for promotion of tourism the following fiscal year.
(B) Composition and duties.
(1) The Committee shall consist of seven members: four of whom shall represent the hospitality industry, with two of those four being from the lodging sector; one shall represent a cultural organization; and two shall represent the general public.
(2) The Committee shall prepare a Tourism Promotion Plan and budget each fiscal year and shall present it to City Council for its approval no later than May 30 of each year.
(3) The Committee shall seek grants to supplement funding.
(4) The Committee shall ensure that its status as a nonprofit corporation remains in good standing.
(C) Meetings. The Tourism and Visitor Promotions Committee shall meet when necessary.
(Ord. 25-17, passed 9-26-17)