Tourism spending hailed as answer for state budget

By TIM MEKEEL, Staff WriterLancaster OnlineState spending on tourism isn't part of Pennsylvania's budget problem, a local industry leader said today.It's part of the solution, said Chris Barrett, president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.So rather than cut it by 39 percent in the coming fiscal year, as the Rendell administration proposes, it should be restored to its original 2008-09 level, he argued.The reason is that state funding of tourism generates "a tremendous return on investment," said Barrett, speaking in Harrisburg at "Pennsylvania Tourism Day." More...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------