Hilton Head airport seeks $170,000 to market island access and repatriate travel spending

John (airport spokesperson, speaker 30) told the ATAX committee that the Hilton Head Island Airport is seeking $170,000 to fund destination marketing that airport revenues cannot legally buy under federal rules. He said the airport’s campaign aims to repatriate travel spending and support airline route development by increasing high‑yield visitors.

“We fly tourism to the island,” the airport spokesperson said, describing recent capacity gains and an increase in scheduled seats year‑over‑year. He said the requested funds would be combined with cooperative efforts with the town’s DMO and that reduced funding would force the airport to cut some higher‑value online travel campaigns that require minimum spends.

Committee members asked which portions would be protected if funding were partial; the airport said DMO cooperative work would be prioritized for its reach. The request will be considered alongside other marketing and event asks.