Press release from the County of Humboldt:

Meet the county’s six tourism regions! Click to enlarge! Graphic: County of Humboldt.

Humboldt County’s new Tourism Advisory Board was formed by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 18 and applications to serve are currently being accepted for all 17 positions on this board. 

If you have knowledge and expertise in tourism marketing efforts and initiatives in Humboldt County, consider applying to serve.

Background

In June 2024, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors made the decision to part ways with the county’s former tourism marketing organization, and reallocated funds being spent on travel and tourism activities toward an in-depth marketing assessment and strategy to be conducted in collaboration with local cities, tourism districts and community partners. Following the completion of this work, in April 2026, the Board adopted a Countywide Travel and Tourism Strategy to be executed over the next five years. 

The strategy includes issuing a Request for Proposals for a new Destination Stewardship Organization to manage Humboldt County’s travel and tourism marketing efforts to reflect local values, nurture residents and visitors, and champion stewardship of the county’s stunning natural environment.

The strategy also includes the creation of a Tourism Advisory Board to advise the Board of Supervisors, Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division and the new Destination Stewardship Organization on implementing the strategy and guide a coordinated, transparent approach to tourism promotion and tourism-related economic development initiatives.

Tourism Advisory Board Membership Qualifications

The Tourism Advisory Board must meet quarterly and will adopt an annual meeting calendar once established. Up to 17 members will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve on this board. 

Membership will consist of representatives from Humboldt’s six tourism regions in addition to two representatives from local Tribal Nations and nine hospitality industry sectors including lodging, events, outdoor recreation, the arts, the airport, agritourism, food and beverage, cannabis tourism and retail.

To serve on this board, applicants must live in Humboldt County and be in a decision-making or leadership position. Representatives from the six unincorporated tourism regions must work for an organization that supports the region they are appointed to represent. Hospitality industry applicants must have at least five years of current or former experience in their applicable industry sector.

Application and Appointment Process

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 and can be found online on the county’s Tourism Advisory Board web page.

Regional and industry seats require a formal nomination by an open membership organization, such as a local chamber of commerce, or a tourism-relevant trade association like the Humboldt Lodging Alliance or Visit California. Tribal Nation seats require a formal nomination from a local Tribal government. A resume and completed nomination form are required with all applications.

It is anticipated that applications will be presented to the Board for consideration on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Successful applicants will be appointed by a majority vote of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. 

To prevent the entire board from turning over at once, terms for the initial Tourism Advisory Board will be staggered. After appointment, a random drawing will assign a portion of the 17 initial seats to a shortened first term, likely two years. All subsequent terms will be three years. Committee members will be able to apply to serve an additional term if desired. Tourism Advisory Board members must file a statement of economic interest as required by the Fair Political Practices Commission of the State of California and complete ethics training, upon appointment and then annually thereafter.

Applications for all county committees, boards and commissions with or without immediate vacancies are accepted year-round and are considered current for two years. Applicants on file will be notified should a new vacancy arise.

For more information, please visit HumboldtGov.org/ or email Tourism@co.humboldt.ca.us.