Tourism Fund

Chapter 178 of the Acts of 1996 provides that forty-five percent (45%) of Provincetown's local room tax proceeds are deposited in the Tourism Fund for purposes which "market, beautify, and enhance tourism" in Provincetown. For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2002, local room tax revenues totaled $844,148, so 45% of that amount-- $379,867-- was deposited in the Tourism Fund. This is the source of funding for the Tourism Budget appropriated by Annual Town Meeting Article 2 for marketing, promotional events; municipal projects;and coordination and support.

Promotional Projects - FY 2005 Grant Applications due December 31, 2003: Applications for FY 2005 grants will be accepted until December 31, 2003. For further information, please click here to read guidelines for applying. Click for application.

Grant Awards. Each year, the Visitor Services Board invites applications from Provincetown organizations and individuals for grants to assist and promote events during the off-season to develop year-round tourism. For FY 2003, a total of $96,053 was appropriated for Promotions and Grant awards. Events are funded either through Mini-Grants of less than $5,000 or Full Grants of $5,000 and up. Recipients of Full Grants are accountable to the Visitor Services Board and submit quarterly financial reports. All grant recipients must submit a final financial report.

Local Room Occupancy Excise Tax Revenues - actual and projected

Five-Year Plan for Tourism Fund Expenditures. On November 12, 2002, the Board of Selectmen approved a five-year financial plan for Tourism Fund expenditures as recommended by the Visitor Services Board. This plan is updated annually. The VSB's recommendations for FY 2004 to FY 2008 were approved by the Board of Selectmen on November 12, 2002. The Board of Selectmen submitted the following projects to the April 2003 Annual Town Meeting for funding from the Tourism Fund: (1) Waterfront Complex, $77,500; (2) AIDS remembrance $5,000; (3) Art in Public Places, $10,000; (4) Historic Walking Trail, $67,500; (5) Provincetown Theatre Foundation, $20,000. Town Meeting approved these projects.

Local Room Tax Revenues Up 7.79% in FY 2002. Between FY 2001 and FY 2002, local room tax revenues in Provincetown increased by 7.79% , from $844,148 to $909,871. FY 2003 First Quarter revenues up +14.64%; Second Quarter up +3.78%. Click for more information.

Visitor Services Board. Article 5 of the April 7, 1997 Special Town Meeting established a Visitor Services Board, to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The VSB's mission is to develop, coordinate and implement a long-term comprehensive plan to enhance tourism year-round; and for overseeing expenditures of the Tourism Fund, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Click for more information

For more information . . . Contact: 
Office of the Tourism Director, Town of Provincetown, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA  02657 (508) 487-7000 x 536.