Tourism Cares and the Texas Travel Industry Association have
launched the Hurricane Harvey Tourism Recovery Fund to assist coastal communities
in recovering from the storm.
The fund will focus on restoring damaged attractions and
tourism nonprofits, like monuments and visitor centers; provide support for
nonprofit organizations through technical assistance and skilled volunteering
programs; and make other need-based investments, which could include marketing
and communications support, volunteer management training and disaster
mitigation and planning.
David Teel, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Industry
Association, said in that destinations like Beaumont, Port
Aransas, Rockport and Fulton will benefit the most.
"They are dependent on tourism and were also the
hardest hit," he said. "They'll need the most help to bounce back."
Millions of visitors make their way to Texas' Gulf Coast
each year, where destination experiences generate 170,000 tourism jobs, many
now at risk.
The Texas Travel Industry Association will assess local
needs while Tourism Cares will administer the fund, provide its expertise in
disaster recovery and engage the nationwide travel industry.
Donations can be made online www.tourismcares.org/harvey, by
check made out to Hurricane Harvey Tourism Recovery Fund and sent to Tourism
Cares, 20 Vernon St., Norwood, Mass., 02062, or by donating securities.
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
"We can make the greatest difference by giving together
with our industry, for our industry -- especially in times of crisis,"
Tourism Cares CEO Mike Rea said in a statement. "We will leverage not just
our donations but also our expertise and influence, and we will share our
stories and lessons throughout the industry."