Groups that fill Denison hotel rooms for a tournament or event can now apply for a cash reward from the city's tourism office, under a program the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board approved in September.
The approval is recorded in draft minutes from the board's Sept. 14 meeting, which the city posted Tuesday in the agenda packet for the board's next session at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 300 W. Main St.
How the incentive works
Tourism Manager Jordan Starr presented the Discover Denison Tourism Incentive Program, aimed at event organizers and tournament providers. According to the minutes:
- Organizers receive $5 for each verified hotel room night booked in Denison.
- An event must produce at least 25 qualifying room nights, and payments stop at 200 room nights, or $1,000 per event.
- Short-term rentals do not count for now.
- Participating hotels report the room nights directly to Discover Denison, which the minutes say is meant to keep the numbers accurate.
Board members described it as an extra tool, separate from the bureau's existing tourism grant program, that pushes organizers to promote overnight stays and track the hotel business their events create. Board Member Laura Longmire made the motion and Brandi Burkhalter seconded it.
Airbnb and Vrbo to collect city hotel tax
In her report at the same meeting, Starr told the board the City Council had amended the hotel occupancy tax ordinance so Airbnb and Vrbo can collect the city's tax and send it to Denison directly. She said that could start as early as Nov. 1.
The board also voted to add the word "Texas" to the Discover Denison logo, which Starr said would help separate the city from other places and groups that share the Denison name.
