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Should NH spend more on tourism marketing?

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Last week the New Hampshire Senate passed a budget over 800 pages long.  One of those pages covered a relatively small item in the state budget: spending on tourism promotion.

The governor and House and Representatives both supported level funding for tourism marketing in the next budget.  The Senate voted to increase the Tourism Development Fund by $1.5 million, for a total of just under $10 million over two years.  That increase may or may not survive final budget negotiations between the House and Senate.

Supporters of increased tourism marketing argue that it has an incredibly high return on investment.  According to a study commissioned by the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development, every dollar spent on tourism marketing returns $10.15 in tax revenue

According to the New Hampshire Travel Council, tourism is also New Hampshire’s second largest industry, employing roughly 68,000 Granite Staters. 

Opponents of larger budget for tourism ads point to the many competing funding priorities in this year’s budget.  The state is facing an opioid addiction crisis, an overwhelmed mental health system, and crumbling roads. 

Tourism is also likely to increase over the next two years even without more marketing, thanks to a rebounding economy.

Do you support more funding for New Hampshire tourism marketing?  Share your opinion in the comments below.

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