Washington state closes tourism office over budget woes

Reuters ^ | July 1, 2011 | Laura L. Myers

[Baynative]

The state of Washington formally shuttered its tourism office on Friday, a move that helps close deep budget deficits but makes it the only U.S. state no longer spending money to attract visitors.

[RainMan]

Dang ... I hit post then walked out of the room, came back and the screen was still up so hit post again and you both beat me ...

[Baynative]

I agree with you on private sector initiative. But, in the case of drawing tourism to the state by advertising the generic wonders available which in turn leads to money being spent locally, I am supportive.

For the record, with the exception of the climate and scenery, my wife and I regret moving here every day and are eager to find a more hospitable home.

[Robert357]

SAY WA? Yes and no, the state tourism board came up with a lot of lame ideas, the Say WA? campaign was one of them.

If defunding them, cuts down on state gay pride event advertising, dumb and embarrassing publicity campaigns, I can live with it.

The Legislature already took a pretty anti-tourism approach with keeping certain hospitality taxes from sunsetting after they pay off bonds, for requiring a $10/day or $30/year pass to use a state park or park a car on state land, for stopping sales tax exemptions on out of state residents purchasing within the state, etc. So again, this is just one of many things that the legislature considered and then enacted.

I agree that tourism is potential revenue source and an important one for a struggling economy. If you read the Irish IMF proposal for how they will use their bailout funds and what kind of reforms they will implement, boosting tourism is a focal point.

However, with high gas taxes, and all the other things that the Legislature did, I see a real focus on "spending cut" prioritization absent any examination of revenue impact, as is clear from the Governors statement.

[fightinJAG]

Oh noes, how will anyone figure out how to find a hotel in the state of Washington without the guvmint tourist office to guide them?

[bkopto]

The state of Washington formally shuttered its tourism office

That's what I call a good start.

[NoLibZone]

There has been a funding bump in the Tijuana visit Seattle office.

[Morgan in Denver]

The operative words were “Democrat Governor.”

In states with Republican governors, the spending decisions are NOT shutting down anything other than wasteful spending and liberal programs. Shutting down police, fire, parks or other things beneficial to citizens is not happening. Only Democrats are using this as a political weapon to beat down opposition for cutting taxes and spending.

[HairOfTheDog]

Any two million she can save is a good idea to me.

When was the last time you decided to visit someplace because of the state tourism office?

[Baynative]

"Any two million she can save is a good idea to me.~ When was the last time you decided to visit someplace because of the state tourism office? "

I agree with you. My sentiment is that if budget was getting cut the stuff that needed cutting should have been addressed. Like the hundred of millions they pump into the dept. of ecology.

When traveling we do just fine on our own as most people do, but it begins with the publicity given to an area like the Grand Canyon or Rocky Mountains. That advertising doesn't come from private individual merchants. So, a little investment in business generation is necessary. Indeed, most of that does come from local chambers.