Southeast Tourism Policy Council

Introduction

This charter establishes a general framework of organization for cooperation between private sector tourism interests and multiple Federal and State agencies in the southeastern United States. The parties defined herein propose to work together in support of the resolution passed by the Southeast Tourism Society at the September 6, 2002 Federal-State Tourism Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, to establish a Southeast Tourism Policy Council (STPC). The parties further propose to coordinate and support the development and implementation of a strategy that encourages travel and tourism by serving as a forum for travel and tourism related issues of public policy and opinion in the Southeast United States.

The charter recognizes that the vitality of tourism in the southeast states is dependent upon providing opportunities to develop and enhance the management of travel and tourism activities in balance with sustainable management practices that keep the environment in a sound state, and prevent the exploitation, destruction, or neglect of the natural, historical, and cultural resources, and the national patrimony of the southeast.

In order to assure equity in representation, the STPC shall be structured in such manner that no party will have more than one representative on the governing board and no party will have more than one vote in policy and governance issues considered by the council.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Southeast Tourism Policy Council to provide leadership that insures broad representation of tourism interests in the southeast, encourage partnerships between public and private sectors of tourism and advocate for sustainable economic growth in an environmentally responsible way.

Vision Statement

By 2008, the Southeast Tourism Policy Council will lead the travel and tourism industry in identifying and analyzing travel and tourism issues and serve as a forum to affect public policy and legislation for the sustainability growth industry in the southeast.

STPC Philosophy

It is the philosophy of the STPC that the tourism industry in the southeast has a responsibility to be an advocate for the future of treasured public lands by acting as a spokesman on issues of sustainable tourism in the region. Further, the STPC believes that partnerships should be forged that recognize conserving and sustaining our valuable natural, cultural, and historic resources can coexist with supporting the economic vitality of tourism interests and communities that serve visitors.

Goals and Objectives

In order to achieve the STPC mission its members embrace and encourage tourism goals that:

• enrich the visitor experience by providing opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the rich heritage of the southeast
• optimize understanding of the contributions of tourism to the quality of life and intercultural appreciation of the southeast's natural and human resources, history and ethnicity
• support the economic viability of tourism interests and communities
• conserve and otherwise protect the natural, cultural and historic resources that are the cornerstone for travel and tourism
• promote the integrity and authenticity of tourism related sites and activities and showing respect for the values of the people of the southeast

Goals

Generally stated, the goals of the STPC shall be:

· Sustainable Use - Because tourism is the cleanest and perhaps most sustainable industry in the world, it makes economic sense to explore ways in which federal and state agencies can work together with the tourism industry to create sustainable environments that foster sustainable industry.

· Resource Conservation - Natural, historic, cultural, and recreation resources administered by federal and state agencies must adhere to commonly accepted conservation and management practices if the integrity and use of resources is to be sustained and of continuing value to the community and the public.

It will be increasingly important to conserve, and, where appropriate restore, the natural, cultural, historical, and recreation resources that serve as the basis for travel and tourism.

• Economic Development/Diversification - Tourism is an essential economic diversification tool. It is not the total answer to prosperity planning and development, nor to economic improvement for most communities. Federal and state agencies can help the private sector provide necessary and profitable services inside and outside site boundaries. This government commitment must be made, furthered by a commitment to have local vendors and providers under government contracts perform on a competitive basis for tourism services. Provide skill and expertise in developing strategic plans and visions. The private sector can assist public lands/communities in the proper development, use, and enjoyment of those treasures thereby infusing local economies with those dollars.
  
  
• Quality of Life Enhancement and Personal Growth - Enrichment of surroundings grows from personal learning, appreciation, and commitment to provide best management practices and decisions on lands inside and outside federal and state site boundaries. The quality of life near or adjacent to federal or state administered properties should come from an appreciation for their value and a desire to sustain them for the future as something of inestimable worth to society.It is also important that whatever approaches are taken to increase the health and viability of tourism, that the STPC respect the needs and values of the constituents it purports to serve.

• Enhancement of Visitor Experiences - By advancing public awareness of travel and tourism opportunities and improving the quality and value of service to the public, visitors to the southeast states will have quality life enriching experiences in order to maximize tourism revenue.

Objectives

• Mobilize public and private tourism interests to educate elected officials about the value of public lands and sustainable tourism
  
  
• Identify and advocate for issues of public policy and legislation affecting travel and tourism in the southeast and nationally
  
  
• Promote public lands stewardship as part of an on-going educational curricula
  
  
• Create opportunities for continuing dialogue between public and private tourism to sustain mutual understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities
  
  
• Advocate for a unified effort for the restoration of a national tourism office to enhance the domestic and foreign tourism market.

Guiding Principles

The following principles will guide our collective efforts and agency to industry relationships. We will:

• treat all parties with respect and dignity;
• recognize and respect differing perspectives and mandates while building on common interests;
• increase communication and learning to overcome challenges resulting from differing perspectives and mandates;ensure responsive coordinated processes and decision making, thereby demonstrating a high standard for public and industry policy that produces better overall results for citizens and the environment;
• to the maximum extent possible, resolve issues within the STPC sphere of influence;
• seek to integrate agency programs, resources, and capabilities with those of the tourism industry to maximize our collective responsiveness; and

• lead, coordinate, and innovate to produce more effective outcomes with greater efficiency.

Governance

The STPC shall be managed by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) under the authority of the STS Board of Directors. The Board shall designate an Executive Committee to provide management oversight over the STPC composed of the current Board Chair, the immediate past Board Chair, the President and CEO, the Board Secretary, and one other member at large.
This charter further defines the establishment of an Interim Leadership Council overseen by the Executive Committee that will formalize the organization of the STPC. The interim leadership council will remain intact until such time as the full council is fully operational and has determined its officers, organizational structure, policies, procedures, and administrative decorum. The Interim Leadership Council shall elect its own Board and officers and shall meet as often as necessary to conduct business.

Once formally established the STPC will meet quarterly, one meeting being held in conjunction with the Southeast Tourism Society Congressional Summit in Washington, D.C. Meetings of STPC officers may be held at other times and locations as dictated by issues under consideration.

It is further stipulated that the STPC shall consist of nine designated classes of membership:

(1) Federal Agencies

(2) State Travel Offices

(3) State Resource Agencies

(4) Economic Development Agencies & Organizations

(5) Industry Associations

(6) Private Tourism Interests

(7) Elected Officials

(8) STS Board of Directors Representatives

(9) Marketing Organizations

Additional classes of membership may be added by the STPC from time to time as necessary for the conduct of business. In like manner, admission of additional agencies, offices, associations, interests, and officials may be added by petition to and approval of the STPC.

Failure of any agency, office, association, interest, or official to execute its responsibilities to the STPC shall be cause for removal of the representative from the council.

No agency, organization, association, or individual interest shall have more than one representative except that the STS Board of Directors shall have five representatives. No agency, organization, association, or individual interest shall have more than one vote on matters deliberated and acted upon by the STPC.

General administration and day-to-day office management shall be the responsibility of the Southeast Tourism Society.

Funding of/for the STPC may be derived from a number of sources recruited and coordinated by the STPC Board and the Board of Directors of the Southeast Tourism Society. Funds will be managed by the STS as the fiduciary agent for the STPC.

Definitions

Federal Agencies - Federal agencies are bureaus of the

Executive Departments of the United States government that provide information resources, access, resource protection, education, and recreation activities to the public.

Variously designated, these Federal agencies include, but are not limited to:

• Department of Agriculture

Forest Service (FS)

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

• Department of Defense

Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE)

• Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

National Park Service (NPS)

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

• Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

• Department of Commerce
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

State Travel Offices - State Travel Offices are offices operated by the eleven southeast states that provide for the development, marketing, and travel information services of the states. Generally, the State Travel Directors will represent State Travel Offices.

State Resource Agencies and Economic Development Offices -

These agencies are defined as those dedicated to the management and conservation of natural and cultural resources and to the management and operation of State park systems. Examples of such agencies include: Departments of Natural Resources, Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, State Park Systems, and State Historic Preservation Offices.

Economic Development Agencies and Organizations - Variously defined, these agencies provide services related to industrial development, small and minority businesses, financial incentives (such as enterprise zoning programs, grants, direct loans, and tax incentives), and business and entrepreneurial development. These organizations may include economic development districts and multi-county economic development corporations.

Industry Associations - Tourism industry associations are those consortiums, and incorporated profit, not for profit, and non-profit organizations engaged in the business of tourism. Examples of such organizations are: National Tour Organization, International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, National Association of State Park Directors, and American Recreation Coalition.

Private Tourism Interests - Private tourism interests include, but are not limited to individual profit, not for profit, and non-profit businesses engaged in the business of tourism. Such interests may or may not be incorporated under the laws of the various states. Examples of such interests include: destination management organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, attractions, hotels/ lodging, airlines, car rental companies, advertisers, and media providers.

Elected Officials - Elected officials are individuals elected by their various constituents to serve the public interest, and who are sworn to uphold the laws, policies, and regulations of their jurisdictions. Elected officials serving on the council must have demonstrated interest in and support for travel and tourism in the southeast.

Statement of Mutual Interest

The STPC recognizes that visitors to the southeast states will be better served when STPC members work together toward mutually developed goals and objectives. STPC objectives will contribute to the economically sustainable growth and health of communities through conservation and wise management of the public land heritage and through the complimentary development and promotion of public and private destinations.

The cooperating federal agencies responsible for the management of federal resources and lands are dedicated to the wise development and use of natural and cultural resources in the southeast. By becoming members of the STPC, they agree to assist in increasing the public's knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of these resources and their management. They will encourage travel and tourism on these lands as an appropriate way of extending the benefits of their designation to the larger community they serve, both domestically and internationally. The public sector will offer expertise to the private sector in terms of knowing how and what to help with when developing resources for tourism interests.

STPC private sector members recognize they have a beneficial role in helping carry out activities that facilitate development of sustainable projects that support and which are compatible with the mandates of the various federal agencies. They agree to provide assistance to the federal agencies in their efforts to plan, develop, market, and manage travel and tourism on public lands, assist in travel and public and private tourism projects, and in resource assessments related to travel and tourism and its value in rural development.

In executing their mutual interests, members further recognize their obligation to define the information needs of the travel and tourism industry and how best to deliver educational and informational material.

This charter in no way restricts STPC members from participating in similar activities or agreements with other public or private interests.

Nothing in this charter or the associated Memorandum of Understanding shall obligate Federal or State agencies to expend appropriations or to enter into any contracts or other obligations.

It is mutually understood that the legal mechanism for Federal agency participation in the STPC is a properly executed Memorandum of Agreement, signed by bureau officials or their designees having delegated signature authority.

Applicable Laws

By agreeing to this charter, STPC members further agree that any and all actions shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws. Unless otherwise provided by law, all contract work undertaken by the STPC shall be authorized by the STS Board of Directors and shall be performed in accordance with Federal and State procurement and claims laws, regulations, procedures and policies.

Federal Agency Exclusions

Federal agency representatives agree to comply with all conflict of interest policies and regulations set forth by the United States Code or by specific departmental or agency policies. The STPC understands that although the agencies agree to cooperate and participate in the actions and decisions of the STPC, Federal and state representatives are excluded from voting or otherwise engaging in the financial management unless such exclusion is waived by the appropriate federal officials having jurisdiction.

Officials Not to Profit

It is understood that STPC members individually nor collectively shall directly profit from the business and undertakings of the STPC.

It is further understood that unless specifically authorized by the STS and/or STPC no specific businesses, companies, enterprises, attractions, interests, or products will be endorsed by the STPC or its members.

Unless otherwise authorized by the STS and/or the STPC, members will assume responsibility for their own travel and expenses related to meetings and business of the STPC. Travel expenses of federal members funded by the STS or STPC shall be in conformance with established laws, regulations, and policies of their respective departments and agencies.

Non-Discrimination Clause

During the performance of this Charter Agreement, the participants agree to abide by all applicable civil rights laws, regulations, and certifications. Participants will not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Participants will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants for any positions on or related to the STPC are employed without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Charter Agreement

Notwithstanding the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal and state agencies and the STPC, by affixing signatures hereto, all parties agree to this charter as the principle governing policy of the STPC. It is further agreed that this charter shall remain in effect until or unless modified by the STPC in agreement with the Board of Directors of the Southeast Tourism Society.