H*3970 Concurrent Resolution, By J.G. McAbee, R.L. Altman, Cork and Elliott
 A Concurrent Resolution to designate the month of May, 1991, as South Carolina
 Tourism Month to be observed with special events the week of May 5-11, 1991,
 which has been designated by Congress as National Tourism Week.

   05/02/91  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-11
   05/07/91  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-2

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF MAY, 1991, AS SOUTH CAROLINA TOURISM MONTH TO BE OBSERVED WITH SPECIAL EVENTS THE WEEK OF MAY 5 - 11, 1991, WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY CONGRESS AS NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK.

Whereas, South Carolina offers a wide variety of outstanding scenic, historic, recreational, and vacation attractions and an abundance of things to see, do, and enjoy during the seasons of the year and in the areas of the State from the mountains, lakes, parks, and resort islands to the beaches of our coast; and

Whereas, tourism and travel is the second largest industry in our State with an economic impact on South Carolina estimated at nearly 5 billion dollars in 1991 and with an estimated 18.5 million trips made to South Carolina by adults solely for pleasure travel; and

Whereas, South Carolina's travel and tourism industry fills state tax coffers, in 1990 producing more than 15.5 million dollars in revenue from the two percent accommodations tax and nearly 9.2 million dollars from the four percent admissions tax, both of which are direct indicators of the economic value and strength of tourism; and

Whereas, the travel and tourism industry is a good investment showing a growth rate of more than one hundred percent in revenue during the past ten years; and

Whereas, travel and tourism is a vital industry with an eighteen percent increase in the number of hotel rooms and a substantial fifty percent increase in golf courses since 1986; and

Whereas, visitors spend forty-five dollars for every dollar invested in tourism advertising by the State; and

Whereas, South Carolina's travel and tourism industry is growing and will have a ten billion dollar impact by the next century; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism's 1991 advertising campaign has been a major impetus toward a very successful year for tourism across the Palmetto State. The department's funds-sharing program and development activities and the infusion of accommodations tax funds has involved many small towns and rural areas of the State in promoting tourism on the local level. The state travel information centers served over six million visitors last year marketing the State seven days a week and three hundred sixty-two days a year. Special advertising and promotional efforts have contributed to the steady growth of tourism; and

Whereas, tourism and travel is an industry that blends with other economic, industrial, and cultural progress and is compatible with the protection of our vital natural resources and enhancement of the quality of life for the residents of the State; and

Whereas, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism recognizing the untapped tourism potential in many of South Carolina's small towns and rural areas and also in the international market has established a Division of Community Development and a Division of International Marketing to implement the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission policy of extending the full benefits of tourism and recreation to all of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is urged to continue its program to increase tourism in South Carolina, conduct research on the tourism industry, and report the progress of travel and tourism business periodically to the General Assembly; and

Whereas, the State should maintain the vitality of the tourism industry and develop it to the fullest potential through increased advertising, marketing, tourism research, community development, investments, and other means; and

Whereas, the Joint Legislative Committee on Tourism and Trade, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, other state agencies, regional tourism promotion agencies, county and municipal governments, chambers of commerce, other promotion agencies, and travel-tourism serving businesses are encouraged to actively express appreciation to South Carolina's visitors, promote public awareness of the economic importance of travel and tourism and invite people from all areas to visit South Carolina; and

Whereas, all South Carolinians are encouraged to utilize the vacation opportunities in our fine State and to express their appreciation to our visitors by continuing to provide them with the friendly and gracious hospitality that has done so much over the years to establish South Carolina as a major tourism and travel destination known around the world for its "smiling faces and beautiful places". Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly designate the month of May, 1991, as South Carolina Tourism Month to be observed with special events the week of May 5 - 11, 1991, which has been designated by Congress as National Tourism Week.