(TAN):Concerns over funding for the Pure Michigan campaign continue to be a pressing issue at the tourism conference being hosted by Grand Rapids in the United States’ Michigan state, reports said.
Pure Michigan is the tourism advertising programme of Michigan which seeks to market the state as a travel destination.
The conference, attended by hundreds of stakeholders in the tourism industry, is aimed at sharing information and ideas related to the sector and finding out how tourism is being supported in the state, as per reports.
[ALSO READ: This US company will soon fly tourists to space]
According to reports, Governor Gretchen Whitmer cut the entire Pure Michigan funding from this year’s budget last fall, which also included nearly USD 1 billion of spending – she vetoed USD 37.5 million for Pure Michigan funding while signing the fiscal budget.
“I have always supported Pure Michigan. But the general fund is not a place to draw dollars out of which is why I made a sizable investment and I’m happy about it,” Whitmer was quoted by WWMT as saying.
Lawmakers are reportedly reflecting on next year’s budget, in which the Whitmer administration proposed bringing back a part of the spending – USD 15 million, for Pure Michigan. However, there is a demand for restoring the Pure Michigan funding this budget year itself, as per reports.
[ALSO READ: Amsterdam could soon ban tourists from buying cannabis]
Vice President of Travel Michigan David Lorenz reportedly said he was confident some of the funding will be restored this year.
“The governor and the vast majority of the legislature support us. They understand what we do. They value you, and they value us. We just got stuck in the middle of this very strange situation. And, I am confident we’re going to be ok. I’m confident we’re going to still get some funding for this year, so hold out hope. Keep on talking to everybody, but hold out hope. I think it’s going to be fine,” Lorenz was quoted by MLive as saying.
The 2020 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism is reportedly being held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
