What is DRIVE Tourism?
DRIVE Tourism is a statewide, community-led development grant program built from the findings of VTC’s Statewide Strategic Plan and the latest VTC research and insights. The goal of the program is to create community-specific strategies that help communities to provide promotion and product development direction.
Growing the visitor economy will spur job creation and private investment, further enhance Virginia’s brand as a premier destination, and create opportunities for community-focused tourism partnerships.
How can my community participate in DRIVE Tourism?
DRIVE Tourism is open to registered Virginia Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) only. You can see if your community is eligible by checking the Virginia Destination Marketing Organizations list here: vatc.org/dmolist.
If you are a community member or industry partner wishing to participant, please get into contact with your local or representative DMO using the link above and express your interest in participating.
What does participation for DMOs look like?
- Virginia DMOs complete an application during the designated application period.
- Selected DMOs will host a community workshop to create promotion and product development strategies utilizing the hub-and-spoke model.
- DMOs will be eligible to apply for grant funding that can be used towards implementing identified projects.
How do I apply for DRIVE Tourism?
DRIVE Tourism+ workshop grant rounds are closed. Stay tuned for a new version of DRIVE Tourism available in 2026!