Accomplishments

Securing the largest general fund increase for marketing in the history of the Tourism Division

Passing local enabling legislation to allow communities to generate additional marketing revenue
Defeating the worst of the hunting legislation
Increasing the state lodging and meal reimbursements
Creating the tourism infrastructure grant program and securing funding for it
Securing millions in new money for tourism-related infrastructure
Passing legislation to allow rural businesses to have a tourism directional sign along the highway
Maintaining the Cultural and Heritage promotional dollars
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