Maine § 13090-E. - Tourism marketing and development strategy

§ 13090-E.. Tourism marketing and development strategy

1.  Development.  The Office of Tourism with input from the tourism industry shall develop a 5-year marketing and development strategy for state tourism growth that maximizes the effectiveness of state and private sector contributions in attracting visitors to the State and increasing tourism-based revenues. The strategy must incorporate components of direct marketing in maintenance and primary markets, matching grants programs, trade markets, regional development and research.

2.  Administration.  The Office of Tourism shall administer the components of the strategy after development. Administration includes development of new markets, creation of an image of the State to entice visitor inquiries and provision of appropriate technical assistance and response mechanisms. The Office of Tourism shall support staffing of the visitor information centers and fulfill tourism information requests and shall work in partnership with the tourism industry in the State in administering the strategy. The Office of Tourism shall seek direct input and consultation from the tourism industry on the Office of Tourism's marketing and promotional plans and collaborate with tourism regions and industry sectors to accomplish the goals identified in the marketing and promotional plans and the marketing and development strategy required under subsection 1, including, but not limited to, the outdoor recreation industry, the lodging industry, the restaurant industry, representatives of large landowners, campground organizations, the transportation industry, the retail industry, cultural organizations, tourism destination marketing organizations, private businesses, statewide tourism associations and nonprofit organizations. The Office of Tourism shall seek tourism industry input in other areas the commissioner considers appropriate and necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this section. The Office of Tourism shall provide a quarterly presentation of its activities under this section beginning January 1, 2013 to tourism industry stakeholders and provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the goals and achievements of the Office of Tourism.

3.  Tourism Marketing and Development Fund.