Hotel Occupancy Tax Funding
The City of Kingsville collects a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) from hotels, bed & breakfasts, and other lodging facilities. Under Texas state law, this revenue may be used only to directly promote tourism and the hotel and convention industry. The Tourism Advisory Board accepts applications from organizations and businesses whose events or projects bring overnight visitors to Kingsville.
How HOT Funds May Be Used
Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code limits the use of hotel occupancy tax revenue to these eight categories. Your request must fall under at least one of them.
Convention & Visitor Information Centers
Acquiring, constructing, improving, equipping, operating, or maintaining convention center facilities or visitor information centers.
Registration of Convention Delegates
Furnishing facilities, personnel, and materials for registering convention delegates or registrants.
Advertising & Promotion
Advertising, solicitations, and promotional programs that attract tourists and convention delegates to Kingsville or its vicinity.
Promotion of the Arts
Encouragement and promotion of the arts where a direct impact on tourism and the hotel industry can be shown — including music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, painting, photography, film, and craft arts.
Historical Restoration & Preservation
Restoration and preservation projects, or programs that encourage tourists to visit preserved historic sites or museums.
Sporting Events
Expenses for sporting events in which most participants are tourists and which substantially increase economic activity at hotels in or near the city.
Transportation for Tourists
Transporting tourists from hotels to the commercial center, a convention center, other hotels, or nearby attractions. General public transit costs are specifically prohibited.
Directional Signage
Signage directing tourists to sights and attractions frequently visited by hotel guests.
Before You Apply
- Apply at least 90 days before your event Requests must be submitted in writing, with the official application form, no later than 90 days prior to the event.
- Your event must generate overnight stays Priority goes to events that bring overnight visitors to Kingsville. An event that will not generate meaningful hotel-night activity is not eligible for hotel occupancy tax funds.
- Request no more than 25% of predicted hotel revenue The amount you request should not exceed 25% of the gross hotel-night revenue your event is predicted to create or sustain.
- Show how you will fill hotel rooms Room-night history from previous years, a room block reserved at an area hotel, past guest data from surveys or guest directories, or a marketing plan aimed at overnight visitors.
- Attach two supporting documents A proposed marketing plan for the funded event, and a schedule of activities relating to the funded project.
- Be available for the board meeting Your application is reviewed at the earliest regularly scheduled Tourism Advisory Board meeting. You may be asked to attend and answer questions; applicants are notified about one week beforehand.
- Funding is paid in two parts 50% is awarded upon approval by the board. The remaining balance is paid after your post-event report has been submitted and reviewed.
Download the Forms
Funding Application Form
Complete this to request HOT funds for your event or project. Submit it at least 90 days before the event.
Post-Event Report Form
Required of every organization that receives funds. Due within 60 days of your funded event.
These forms are not fillable PDFs — print and complete them by hand, or fill them in using a PDF editor before emailing.
After Your Event
Every organization that receives HOT funds must submit a Post-Event Report Form within 60 days of the funded event. The Tourism Advisory Board uses it to see how well the event met its goals, and it is considered in future funding requests.
How to Submit
Return your completed form by email, or drop it off in person at the Visitors Center.
By email
howdy@cityofkingsville.comIn person or by mail
Tourism Advisory Boardc/o Kingsville Visitors Center
1501 N. Highway 77
Kingsville, TX 78363