Legislative Goals

DMANC 2010 Legislative Goals

The members of the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina (DMANC) recognize the value of a well-funded and competitive North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development (NCTFSD,) therefore, we support increased funding for NCTFSD without the use of earmarks.

DMANC supports individual communities throughout the state that wish to formalize an organized travel and tourism promotion effort and secure a dedicated source of funding for promotion and marketing purposes. Furthermore, DMANC supports existing communities and their efforts to effectively market their destinations, and to help protect against any threat to their funding.

DMANC supports development of tax policy approved by the tourism industry for all sectors of our industry that is fair to the businesses that shoulder the tax, and supports the NC House Occupancy Tax Guideline that at least 2/3 of any tax levied upon the tourism industry be dedicated to marketing and promotion with the remaining 1/3 used for tourism related purposes as determined by the local TDA.

DMANC advocates the development of educational opportunities for the travel and tourism sector beginning with middle school through completion of graduate studies. Over 190,500 North Carolina jobs are related to the tourism sector and a strong and productive workforce is needed throughout the state. We encourage and support the General Assembly to approve programs that benefit travel and tourism.

North Carolina’s natural beauty and destination product is in danger from environmental changes in air and water quality, beach erosion, litter, and loss of open space. Therefore, we support environmentally responsible laws that maintain and protect the natural beauty of North Carolina for the successful development of the travel and tourism sector of the economy.

DMANC believes that the summer vacation time is important to families and to the tourism economy of North Carolina. Therefore we oppose school start dates prior to August 25th. We recognize and advocate the need for internal and accurate statewide research to quantifiably assess the economic impact of varying school start calendars throughout North Carolina.

DMANC represents tourism destination marketing organizations that use their limited funds for economic development. Therefore our position is that established tourism authorities should be added to the list of approved authorities (G.S. 105-164©) to receive a refund of use taxes paid on direct purchases of personal tangible property.

Federal and state funding for interstate maintenance and improvements has reached a critical point, however, creating toll roads on existing interstates may be harmful to a community’s economy. Therefore, DMANC encourages appropriate research before the use of tolls on existing roads and supports securing alternative funding other than toll roads for much needed interstate maintenance. If local consensus is fully in favor of proposed toll roads DMANC would not oppose the project.

DMANC recognizes the vital role destination marketing organizations and the appropriate use of occupancy tax for marketing and promotion plays in our local and statewide economies. Therefore, DMANC will make its resources available to any legislative study of DMOs or occupancy tax to ensure that complete and accurate information is considered.

Tourism Development Authorities are governmental agencies authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly to utilize occupancy tax for the purpose of tourism development and promotion. The role and legal authority of TDAs should be recognized and respected by local governments. DMANC encourages the education of local government officials on the importance of tourism to local economies and the legislative mandate to TDAs to appropriately utilize occupancy tax for the promotion of tourism.
DMANC recognizes that private clubs play a role in providing entertainment for visitors and therefore supports granting counties the authority to waive the three day waiting rule for membership to private clubs.
DMANC supports the rights of tourism workers to vote by private ballot to unionize without fear of coercion therefore DMANC opposes the passing of the Employee Free Choice Act.