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Bailey appointed to
Washington Tourism Commission
Oak Harbor lawmaker also receives Hospitality Hero
Award
Tenth District
Rep. Barbara Bailey
has been appointed to serve on the Washington Tourism
Commission. The commission will develop a six-year strategic plan to
promote Washington as a tourist destination to national and
international markets, and create a marketing plan to carry out
promotions.
“This commission is a
natural fit for me with my extensive background in the tourism and
hospitality industries. Tourism is a very important part of our local
economy. From the mountains to the tulip fields, Deception Pass to the
ocean beaches, we have so much to offer visitors in our area,” said
Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. “I'm very excited about this opportunity and
look forward to using my experience to help create a marketing plan that
will benefit not only the 10th District, but our whole state.”
The commission also
consists of: representatives from the lodging industry; marketing
organizations; visitors and convention bureaus; food, beverage and wine
industries; travel and transportation industries; arts, entertainment
and recreation industries; the chair of the Washington State Convention
Center, and the director of the Department of Community, Trade and
Economic Development.
“Our goal is to focus on
those things that will encourage people to come to our state. When you
have limited resources, you have to carefully focus your message into a
workable plan and good campaign,” said Bailey. “It’s my hope that
we can develop a creative plan that will bring more tourists to
Washington who will spend their dollars, enhance our economy and enjoy
all that our state has to offer.”
The commission will also
provide for a Tourism Competitive Grant Program, in which matching
monies will be provided to enhance local efforts that support
tourism-related activities. It will develop criteria for eligibility of
the funds and decide who should receive the money.
Bailey also
recently received the Hospitality Hero Award from the Washington State
Hotel and Lodging Association.
The Washington State Hotel
and Lodging Association (WSHLA) stated: “Representative Bailey stood
firm on retaining the Senate Tourism Commission wording that required
the Governor to appoint two hoteliers from WSHLA recommendations, and
also supported WSHLA’s position on all the lodging tax bills that would
have allowed the revenues to be used for purposes other than marketing.”
Bailey has also
received two other appointments: the State Council on Aging and the
Washington Economic Development Commission.
The State Council on Aging
serves in an advisory capacity to the governor, the secretary of Social
and Health Services, and the State Unit on Aging on policies, programs
and services affecting older persons. It also creates public awareness
of the special needs and potentialities of older persons.
The Economic Development
Commission provides policy direction to the Washington State Department
of Community, Trade and Economic Development and consists of private
sector and other representatives from around the state. Its goal is to
engage the state’s business community to develop trade and economic
development policies.
Bailey can be
contacted at (360) 786-7914 or
bailey.barbara@leg.wa.gov.
# # #
PHOTO: Rep. Barbara Bailey
receives the Hospitality Hero Award from T.K. Bentler, representing the Washington State
Hotel and Lodging Association.
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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