Sevier County Government Tourism Department – Advertising Guidelines

Owned and operated by Sevier County, Tennessee, VisitMySmokies.com was created to help promote and advertise lodging properties that pay the Sevier County Lodging Tax, as well as other taxpaying, tourism-related businesses located within Sevier County. VisitMySmokies.com is not intended to be an avenue of speech for all citizens.

These policies and guidelines govern all online activities managed by the Sevier County Government’s Tourism Department, including but not limited to, VisitMySmokies.com.

General Guidelines

To qualify for promotion on VisitMySmokies.com, a business must be licensed by Sevier County and operate for profit. VisitMySmokies.com is funded through lodging taxes collected from properties located within Sevier County’s boundaries but outside of any city limits. As a result, only properties within these designated areas are eligible for promotion on the platform.
Lodging properties promoted on VisitMySmokies.com must remain current on tax payments to qualify for marketing opportunities. The Sevier County Tourism Department reserves the right to remove any property that is not in compliance with tax requirements. Once all outstanding taxes are paid, the department may, at its discretion, reinstate the property’s participation.
Non-commercial natural attractions, historical sites, and nonprofit organizations may link to VisitMySmokies.com at the discretion of the Sevier County Tourism Department, provided their content aligns with the department’s mission of promoting tourism to Sevier County and adheres to the intent of these policies (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains National Park).
All contracts for advertising, e-commerce, and listings will be established directly between Sevier County and local businesses.
All fees and commissions collected for VisitMySmokies.com will be payable to Sevier County.
Businesses that fail to pay applicable fees and/or commissions within 30 days may be removed from VisitMySmokies.com at the discretion of the Sevier County Tourism Department.
The Sevier County Tourism Department reserves the right to reject questionable or objectionable advertising.
Use of the Visit My Smokies, and/or Sevier County, Tennessee logo(s) or name(s) within an advertisement is strictly prohibited.
Any issues or complaints regarding VisitMySmokies.com or advertising opportunities made available through the Sevier County Tourism Department are to be directed to the Director of the Sevier County Tourism Department.

Guidelines for Lodging Partners

In order for a property to qualify to be listed on VisitMySmokies.com, it must pay and remain current on the Sevier County Lodging Tax. This includes both privately managed short-term rentals (i.e. VRBO) and professionally managed properties.
Partners are encouraged to include booking links specific to each qualifying property; however, this link must direct the user only to the specific qualifying property and not to a general page or website including non-qualifying properties.
Lodging businesses that pay the Sevier County Lodging Tax and operate under additional DBAs or trade names, also subject to the tax, may only list and market a qualifying property under a single business name. The same property may not be listed under multiple businesses, DBAs, or trade names.
Individual owners managing only their own rental properties may only list and market a qualifying property under a single partner account. The same property may not be listed under multiple businesses or owners.
Search by Availability is available to all lodging partners who have an iCal link or wish to connect via API.
Manually listing qualifying properties on VisitMySmokies.com is free. For lodging partners who wish to connect their properties via API, a one-time integration fee does apply and may vary depending on the platform or complexity of the integration required.
VisitMySmokies.com makes no guarantees that property information is accurate, including but not limited to availability, description, amenities, photos, condition, etc. It is the responsibility of the lodging partner to keep this information updated and accurate.
VisitMySmokies.com does not assist guests with answering questions regarding listed properties, making reservations or settling disputes with the property owner or manager.
At times, other paid advertising opportunities with VisitMySmokies.com may become available. These are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Failure to adhere to these policies may result in the termination of the business’s listings on VisitMySmokies.com for one year.

Guidelines for Advertising Partners

Non-lodging, tourism-related businesses with a valid Sevier County business license may qualify to be listed on VisitMySmokies.com, provided the business is not in competition with the efforts of the Sevier County Tourism Department.
Businesses that are not physically located within the Sevier County limits do not qualify to be listed or participate in advertising opportunities on VisitMySmokies.com.
No pricing, except for special deals, will be permitted in advertisements on VisitMySmokies.com.
Businesses promoted on VisitMySmokies.com must remain current on tax payments to qualify for marketing opportunities. The Sevier County Tourism Department reserves the right to remove any property that is not in compliance with tax requirements. Once all outstanding taxes are paid, the department may, at its discretion, reinstate the property’s participation.
Businesses that fail to pay applicable fees and/or commissions within 30 days may be removed from VisitMySmokies.com at the discretion of the Sevier County Tourism Department.
The Sevier County Tourism Department reserves the right to reject questionable or objectionable advertising.
Use of the Visit My Smokies, and/or Sevier County, Tennessee logo(s) or name(s) within an advertisement is strictly prohibited.