LaurelHighlandsLocal.com

The 49 Tourism Promotion Agencies representing all 67 counties of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have an incredible informational piece that outlines how vital tourism is to Pennsylvania’s bottom line. I’m reciting some facts just in case you don’t have time to open the link!

“Did you know that Tourism ranks as the second largest industry in Pennsylvania! How about, that our state is the 4th most visited state in the country! In 2007, visitors generated a total of $2.8 billion in state and municipal tax revenues (a little more than 10% of the total General Fund Expenditures in 2007-08).

Due to the major tax revenues generated by tourism industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, each one of our 4.9 million households benefits with $575 in tax savings. Put another way, if not for tourism industry, each household would have to pay $575 in additional taxes to maintain the current level of state services.”

In deed, we as REALTORS focusing our business on Hidden Valley, Seven Springs, and the immediate area in the Laurel Highlands are extremely biased in our support for the tourism industry. “We urge Gov. Rendell and our legislators to maintain FY 2009-10 Tourism Promotion Assistance funding at $8 million – funding that has already been contracted and awarded.

Without this support of a key state industry, the second round of cuts included in the Governor’s FY 2009-10 budget revisions would leave PA’s total tourism promotion expenditures at 65% below FY 2008-09.”

Here is the link that shares how YOUR VOICE can make a difference! Through a call, letter, or  e-mail YOU can help to keep tourism a viable factor in our economy!

• Write a letter or E-mail to your state senators and representatives
• Sample letter to a legislator

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!

The following letter came to Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau members. We have permission to re-post in an effort to help spur action! So please read on!

Dear Member,

I want to take a moment to inform you of some recent state funding cuts that will impact the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.  These additional cuts were demanded by the Governor’s office after contracts had been awarded to each statewide tourism promotion agency.  In an unprecedented move, the state told all entities to return money for sales and marketing projects that had not already been legally committed. 

Over the past several years LHVB has seen its state funding for marketing and promotional programs decrease over $300,000.  This most recent reduction in funding could mean a potential loss of an additional $200,000 for a total loss of more than a half-million dollars in the past three to four years.

The LHVB, along with the other TPAs across the state, is working with the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association to reach out to the Governor’s Office, as well as state legislators to reverse this action.  We are apprising them of the potential loss of tax revenues from a decrease in tourism and significant job loss, making the state’s revenue situation even worse. (See attached letter.)

I am also appealing to all LHVB members asking that you express your concern via e-mails, telephone calls or letters to our state representatives and implore them to support Pennsylvania’s second-largest industry.  The more calls and letters they receive from their constituents regarding their concerns and dissatisfaction over these additional funding cuts and the affect on LHVB and the tourism industry across Pennsylvania the better the chance of the legislature calling the Governor’s office and demanding the reversal of this devastating decision (to find your state representatives go http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm).

 In closing let me say that even with these additional cuts the LHVB is still a very viable organization which is actively promoting the region on behalf of all our members as a premier tourism destination to potential visitors from our primary market areas.  

Brad Heiser

Board Chair

Acting Executive Director