New Jersey § 34:1a-46

§ 34:1a-46.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that: a. Increased revenues for this State and more employment opportunities for its citizens

will result from the proper promotion throughout the United States and the world of

the many tourist attractions which New Jersey has to offer to vacationers and travelers. b. Such proper promotion--and the desired expansion of tourism in New Jersey--will

be enhanced by the formulation of a master plan for the development of the tourist

industry throughout New Jersey. c. It is an objective of State programs, agencies, and resources to provide an optimum of satisfaction and high-quality service to visitors, to protect

the natural beauty of New Jersey, and to sustain, promote, and expand the economic

health of the tourist industry in a manner and to the extent compatible with such

goals. d. Because of the crucial importance tourism plays in New Jersey's economy, the Department

of State is therefore charged with the mandate to increase tourism through promotional,

informational, educational, and developmental programs. These initiatives are to be designed to support a State policy of maintaining and

increasing New Jersey's standing as a premier national and international travel destination. To implement this policy, the Department of State shall create advertisements for use on television, radio, the Internet and in print,

to promote the State's diverse appeal to prospective national and international vacationers

and travelers as part of its advertising, public relations, and marketing campaign. In addition, as required pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1977, c. 225 ( C.34:1A-53 ), the Division of Travel and Tourism shall annually review the 10-year master plan

developed pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1977, c. 225 ( C.34:1A-52 ) by the director of the division with the assistance of the New Jersey Tourism Policy

Council, and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature containing an evaluation

of the preceding year's activities and developments in tourism and the revisions recommended

in the master plan. e. In the advancement and promotion of New Jersey's tourism industry, it is necessary

to require that the division report semiannually to the Governor and the Legislature

on the efforts of the division to promote tourism in New Jersey and on the expenditure of funds allocated to tourism

advertising and promotion from hotel and motel occupancy fees pursuant to section

2 of P.L.2003, c. 114 ( C.54:32D-2 ). As tourism may be particularly sensitive to changing economic conditions, a frequent

review of the State's tourism planning and activities may necessitate revisions in

the State's tourism policy to further encourage tourism promotion and to otherwise

meet the challenges of implementing this policy.