Objective criteria for tourism development grant funding (Utah)

The State of Utah Tourism Development Board (maybe we need a similar entity, although I suppose that is what the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation is, although it appears to be too narrowly focused) has a cooperative marketing program that makes grants to various organizations across the state, in order to support specific projects.

Related to my complaint that we don't have an open and transparent process for many of the city funds provided to various cultural and heritage institutions that receive funding, I like the criteria laid out in the UTDB's Cooperative Marketing Program Guidelines:

SCORING / RANKING
An objective review to score each application will be based on the following point system scale:

-- Thoroughness –5 points
-- Application responses clear and complete –5
-- Project Design –40 points
- Clearly defined goals and objectives that are realistic –10
- The ability to service out-of-state visitors –5
- Integrated marketing plan, strategic plan or other cooperative marketing plan –10
- Ability to attract and/or target new markets –15
-- Accountability/Economic Impact –55 points
- Reliable tracking mechanism –10
- Expected revenue and positive economic impact generated –25
- Reasonable cost/benefit ratio –15
- Benefit to the community –5
-- Bonus Points –15 points
- Joint application with other qualified entities –5
- Projects aimed at attracting more out-of-state visitors during the shoulder seasons –5
- Counties in areas of the state that are in the greatest need of financial assistance –5

Scoring Parameters
- Projects must receive no less than a score of 75 or higher to be eligible for funding. Those who score lower than 75 will not receive funding.
- Preference will be given to new markets and new products.

For some more best practice examples from Utah, check out:

-- their basic Visit Utah website (better information architecture compared to DC);
-- Utah Image Study;
-- High Velocity Economic Development: Performance-based Funding for Tourism;
among others.

Index Keywords: tourism