Accomplishments
Securing the largest general fund increase for marketing in the history of the Tourism Division
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Passing local enabling legislation to allow communities to generate additional marketing revenue
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Defeating the worst of the hunting legislation
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Increasing the state lodging and meal reimbursements
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Creating the tourism infrastructure grant program and securing funding for it
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Securing millions in new money for tourism-related infrastructure
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Passing legislation to allow rural businesses to have a tourism directional sign along the highway
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Maintaining the Cultural and Heritage promotional dollars
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Passing legislation supporting agritourism
During the 2019 legislative update, the North Dakota Travel Alliance Partnership (TAP) successfully champion an additional $1 million for tourism marketing and helped secure $50 million for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and $6 million for the International Peace Garden. TAP also introduced and successfully lobbied to pass bills to modernize the city lodging tax and allow counties to collect a lodging and restaurant tax.
The final report covers the results of all the bills tracked by TAP during the 2019 legislative session.
"Tourism is a vital and growing component in North Dakota's future economic efforts. TAP provides an invaluable leadership role allowing all industry components to focus on education, legislative issues and development."
- Bill Shalhoob
TAP Chairman
"We must give the Tourism Division the firepower it needs to tell the world that we are a Land of Legends, and a visit to North Dakota offers a Legendary Experience."
- David Borlaug
N.D. Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Foundation