City Council sets public hearing to expand Tourism Business Improvement District

On a 10-1 vote, the Missoula City Council made its intention official Monday night to renew and expand the Tourism Business Improvement District citywide, a move intended to bring more hotels into the program and further market Missoula.

No member of the council spoke for or against the measure, which was debated at a committee meeting last week. Approval of the measure sets a public hearing for May 31.

The program charges hotel visitors staying in Missoula a flat fee of $2 per occupied room per night. That funding is directed back to the TBID, which uses it to promote local tourism and businesses, and host events.

If approved next month, expanding the district would increase the number of participating hotels from 20 to 33. Destination Missoula anticipates that doing so would bring an additional $390,000 into the program.

Funding brought into the Tourism Business Improvement District goes to host and promote music festivals, sports tournaments and general marketing. It also has grown the number of destinations served from Missoula International Airport.

That includes the addition of Dallas/Fort Worth on American Airlines.

Hoteliers in Missoula have submitted a petition to both renew and expand the district, as required by state law.