In a significant boost to local tourism, Chautauqua County has awarded US $135,349 in its 2026 “Occupancy Tax Tourism Development Grants,” aimed at funding projects that elevate visitor experiences, strengthen regional attractions, and drive long-term tourism growth.

After a highly competitive application process — the County received a record number of proposals — a total of 14 projects from across the region were selected for their creativity, community impact, and alignment with the grant programme’s goals.

What got funded: Events, Placemaking & Marketing

The 2026 grants are spread across three key categories:

• Events
  • A film festival organised by the business school at the local university (AI Film Festival).
  • Air‑based spectacles by the county’s airports (airshow).
  • Seasonal community sporting and cultural events such as skating festivals, dance festivals, and a wine-themed festival.
• Placemaking(a newly introduced grant category in 2026)
  • Development of a tourism‑attraction project focused on a lake‑area and a major highway corridor.
  • Trails and waterway‑based amenities including wayfinding and informational kiosks to improve accessibility and awareness of natural attractions.
  • Creation of pictorial maps and urban‑improvement plans to help visitors “discover & explore” the county — enhancing walkability, orientation, and local charm.
  • Feasibility studies for a new multi‑purpose sports complex — indicating a longer-term vision for infrastructure to support tourism and recreation.
• Marketing
  • Destination marketing campaigns by local arts and cultural institutions.
  • Outdoor recreation tourism promotion with modern tools like aerial video for vivid storytelling.
  • Support for small business associations to promote local villages/towns as visitor destinations.
  • Film, television & tourism‑industry development initiatives to attract media‑related tourism.
  • Updating visual assets for a wine‑country tourism brand — underlining the importance of strong visual identity in modern tourism.

Tourism Awards Across Other Counties:

Across the United States, many counties are investing in tourism through grants, awards, and destination-development programs designed to attract visitors, strengthen cultural assets, and foster economic growth. Below is a travel-focused look at how ten counties are using tourism awards to boost visibility and create memorable experiences for travelers.

1. Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County continues to champion wine-country tourism with an annual Innovation in Hospitality Award that supports vineyard tours, culinary festivals, and sustainable farm-to-table programs. Recent grants were directed toward vineyard-trail improvements, eco-friendly tasting rooms, and educational wine routes. These awards aim to upgrade guest comfort while preserving agricultural heritage.

2. Buncombe County, North Carolina
Home to Asheville, Buncombe County runs a Tourism Product Development Fund that awards millions each year to creative tourism projects. Grants typically support outdoor recreation, craft brewery trails, cultural districts, and greenway expansions. Award recipients often focus on elevating mountain adventures and artistic experiences for visitors seeking an eclectic urban-meets-nature escape.

3. Horry County, South Carolina
Horry County, known for Myrtle Beach, offers annual tourism awards to projects enhancing coastal attractions. Winning initiatives often include beachfront revitalization, music festivals, boardwalk upgrades, and family-friendly entertainment. Grants are aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and the overall seaside holiday experience.

4. Sedgwick County, Kansas
Sedgwick County uses its tourism-development fund to reward programs that expand cultural and educational tourism in Wichita and beyond. Grants frequently support aviation museums, zoo expansions, new public art installations, and annual heritage celebrations. Awardees are chosen for their potential to draw regional travelers and enhance year-round visitation.

5. Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa County’s tourism awards spotlight desert-adventure experiences, Indigenous cultural tours, and sustainability-driven outdoor programs. Funding often supports trail preservation, desert-park interpretation centers, astronomy events, and cultural festivals in partnership with tribal nations. These awards help strengthen Phoenix’s reputation as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

6. Dane County, Wisconsin
Dane County’s tourism-grant awards focus on farm experiences, lakefront improvements, and cultural programming in Madison. Recent awardees include food-heritage festivals, cycling-trail upgrades, and waterfront revitalization projects. The county prioritizes activities that encourage travelers to explore its blend of culinary charm and scenic lakeside recreation.

7. Travis County, Texas
Centered around Austin, Travis County offers tourism awards that elevate music, film, nightlife, and creative arts. Grants support live-music venues, outdoor concert series, public-art corridors, and technology-driven cultural exhibitions. The program aims to strengthen Austin’s global identity as a creative capital while enhancing tourism infrastructure for festival-goers.

8. Eagle County, Colorado
Eagle County’s tourism awards center on mountain recreation and seasonal tourism balance. Funding often goes to ski-safety programs, trail-system expansions, alpine events, and summer adventure attractions. Award-winning projects aim to create year-round activity options for travelers exploring Vail Valley and surrounding resort towns.

9. Monroe County, Florida
Monroe County, home to the Florida Keys, recognizes environmental stewardship and coastal tourism experiences through its Sustainable Tourism Awards. Winning projects often include coral-reef restoration initiatives, mangrove education centers, eco-friendly boating programs, and marine wildlife experiences. These awards help protect fragile ecosystems while enhancing traveler engagement with nature.

10. Clark County, Nevada
Clark County’s tourism-development awards spotlight entertainment, hospitality innovation, and large-scale cultural events. Many supported projects focus on enhancing visitor experiences along the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding areas. Recent awardees include immersive storytelling attractions, digital-art festivals, desert-tour improvements, and cultural-heritage exhibits. The program ensures that Las Vegas remains a globally competitive destination.

Why International Regions Should Care

In an increasingly globalized tourism economy — where travellers choose destinations not just for heritage or nature, but for experiences, culture, media, wellness, local‑flavor, and “Instagram‑able” spots — the model demonstrated by Chautauqua County offers:

• A practical, self‑sustaining finance mechanism (tourism‑based tax revenue reinvested into tourism).
• A way to democratize tourism investment beyond large hotels/resorts — supporting small communities, villages, cultural groups, local businesses.
• A path to build long-term destination identity and infrastructure, not just one-off events.
• Adaptability: regardless of the country, the core ideas (events + placemaking + marketing) remain relevant.

In conclusion, Chautauqua County’s 2026 Tourism Development Grants exemplify a forward-thinking approach to regional tourism growth—one that balances vibrant events, long-term placemaking, and strategic marketing. By reinvesting lodging tax revenue directly into community-driven projects, the county not only strengthens its local attractions but also empowers small businesses, enhances visitor experiences, and builds a sustainable tourism ecosystem. This model serves as an inspiring blueprint for other regions across the United States and around the world, demonstrating that thoughtful investment in events, infrastructure, and branding can create destinations that captivate travelers, celebrate local culture, and drive long-term economic and social benefits. Ultimately, Chautauqua County is proving that tourism development is not just about attracting visitors—it’s about building memorable, accessible, and authentic places that leave a lasting impression on everyone who explores them.

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