New Initiatives Announced to Promote Tourism in Georgia
| Wednesday, February 4, 2004 |
Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
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Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the creation of the Georgia Tourism Council. He also offered his support to tourism legislation providing more flexibility in public-private partnerships promoting tourism.
"Tourism is one of Georgia's leading industries, and we can make it even better by working more cooperatively within state government and with the private sector," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We are fortunate to live in a state with an abundance of tourism destinations. These two initiatives will help us promote the Georgia we all know and love."
The council will work to unify Georgia's overall tourism strategy by ensuring coordination, cooperation and communication among all state agencies, their tourism-related programs, and private-sector stakeholders. The council was created through Executive Order. It will work closely with the Commission for New Georgia and its tourism task force.
The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT), Glenn Cornell, will serve as the chairman of the council. Other members will include representatives from the departments of Natural Resources, Community Affairs, Office of Planning and Budget, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, New Georgia Tourism Task Force, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and GDITT's Tourism Division. Senator Mitch Seabaugh will submit legislation allowing GDITT to leverage tourism dollars from private partners. This will increase public-private partnerships and expand the base of potential marketing dollars to promote tourism in Georgia.
Text of the Executive Order
| WHEREAS: | The State of Georgia has numerous parks, historic sites, cultural sites, and tourism destinations that attract visitors from around the world; |
| WHEREAS: | These parks, historic sites, cultural sites, and tourism destinations employ over 200,000 Georgians and drive billions of dollars into the state's economy; |
| WHEREAS: | A healthy and growing tourism industry requires input and collaboration between all stakeholders from the public and private sector; and |
| WHEREAS: | There currently is a fragmented approach to the overall tourism strategy within the state lacking the needed coordination of interested stakeholders. |
NOW, THEREFORE, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY
| ORDERED: |
That there is created the Georgia Tourism Council to ensure coordination, cooperation and communication among all state agencies, their tourism-related programs and activities, and private sector stakeholders. IT IS FURTHER |
| ORDERED: |
That the Georgia Tourism Council shall include but not be limited to the following persons: The Commissioner of Industry, Trade, and Tourism The Commissioner of Natural Resources The Commissioner of Community Affairs The Director of the Office of Planning and Budget or his designee The Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce The Chair of the Commission for a New Georgia Tourism Task Force The Chair of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus The Deputy Commissioner of Industry, Trade, and Tourism's Tourism Division IT IS FURTHER |
| ORDERED: |
That the chairpersons of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee and the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee may serve ex officio in an advisory capacity to the Georgia Tourism Council. IT IS FURTHER |
| ORDERED: |
That the Commissioner of Industry, Trade, and Tourism shall serve as chairperson of the Georgia Tourism Council. The Tourism Division of the Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism shall provide administrative support for the Georgia Tourism Council. IT IS FURTHER |
| ORDERED: |
That the Georgia Tourism Council shall set forth its recommendations for a comprehensive plan to manage, promote, advertise, and market the tourism resources of the State of Georgia, in conjunction with those recommendations submitted to the Governor by the Commission for a New Georgia Tourism Task Force, as well as other interested stakeholders. IT IS FURTHER |
| ORDERED: | That the Georgia Tourism Council shall draw upon the expertise and shall seek the counsel and assistance of other private and public entities with expertise in tourism promotion as appropriate. |
This 5th day of February, 2004
(Signed: Sonny Perdue)
Governor