The state’s Tourism director says she’s happy with the funding her division received from the 2015 Legislature.
Sara Otte Coleman says $1 million was approved for increased regional marketing. She says that money will help step up marketing efforts in the areas already targeted.
"It's not enough money to get us any new markets," said Otte Coleman. "But we should be able to do some additional marketing in our existing markets. Maybe a smaller new market is possible. But we'll take a look at that over the next few weeks."
Otte Coleman says the budget also includes $247,000 for an expansion of an international marketing program.
"We are in a regional marketing organization called Rocky Mountain International," said Otte Coleman. "We've been working with them on an ad-hoc basis. Last year, they asked us to join as a full partner with Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. So what this allows us to do is participate in all their marketing activities, be in all of their publications. It also gets us into additional markets, including France, Italy and the UK."
Otte Coleman says the money was approved as a “one time” funding item. She says that means she’ll have to come back to the Legislature in two years, and show how that funding helped the state’s tourist industry.
And Otte Coleman says the Legislature has continued what's known as the Large Tourism Infrastructure Grant program -- funded to the tune of $750,000.
"The grants are designed to help build or expand new tourism experiences," said Otte Coleman. "We've had tremendous interest in those grants."
Otte Coleman says last year, there were more than $4 million in requests. She says she hopes this will launch some new tourism businesses.
"It's been an interesting variety of businesses," said Otte Coleman. "Some expansions, agri-tourism, some museum projects, wineries -- there's been a good variety."
