FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  D.T. Minich, Visitor & Convention Bureau
               (239) 338-3500

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ALLOTS FUNDS FOR ARTS & CULTURE

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 5, 2003) - The Tourist Development Council (TDC) today approved a $100,000 contribution to develop The Arts and Attractions Fund (AAF) - a private/public partnership between the Alliance of the Arts and the TDC, Southwest Florida Community Foundation (SWFLCF) and City of Fort Myers.

After formal criteria is developed by the SWFLCF, AAF will offer grants for marketing and visitor enhancement projects (funded by the TDC) and basic operating grants (funded by municipalities and private foundations.)

The purpose of the grants is to enhance visitor experiences and improve quality of life by encouraging repeat cultural visitors. The money designated by the TDC is from the current Attractions Fund, which has been underutilized and was slated for reallocation to other areas of tourist development.

A task force was developed to research the importance of cultural visitors prior to eliminating the fund. Research showed that the number of cultural visitors grew 19 percent from 1996 to 2001, spend an average of $349 each (individual tourists spend $291) and stay on average seven nights longer than non-cultural visitors. Local cultural attractions will be encouraged to apply for grants to develop programs that will improve visitors' experiences. A grant application process will be put into place and former restrictions that eliminated eligibility for small attractions will be lifted.

The mission of the Visitor and Convention Bureau is to increase tourism in the off-season (Post Easter to February 1) and to increase awareness about Lee County as a vacation destination. The VCB is funded through a 3 percent bed tax on room nights less than six months in length. Nearly two million tourists visit Lee County each year. The nine-member Tourist Development Council, which is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and oversees the entire tourism, advises the VCB and development fund, provides direction on programs and budget, and reviews quarterly VCB expenditures.