New council to boost county's tourism efforts

By OWEN BOSS

Staff Writer

With a single flick of the wrist, state officials expect Gov. Deval Patrick will soon sign off on an economic development bill that calls for the creation of the first ever Hampshire County Tourism Council.

For Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, the bill’s passage would mean the end of a 24-year mission to develop a local tourism council that dates back to his early years in the state’s House of Representatives.

“As a freshman state representative 24 years ago I heard from folks in the Hampshire County business community who felt it was unfair that we didn’t have our own tourism council,” Rosenberg said. “Although this still requires the governor’s signature, we are very hopeful that it will pass as written.”

There are currently 13 tourism councils statewide, and Rosenberg said Hampshire County is the largest county still without one.

“Three times I’ve included this provision in a bill and this is the farthest it has ever gotten,” Rosenberg said.

Echoing Rosenberg’s optimism for the bill’s future, Patrick issued a statement shortly after its passage Friday night commending senators for their time spent crafting the legislation.

“Passage of this legislation is an important step in our economic recovery and comes on the heels of today’s news that the Massachusetts economy expanded at more than double the rate of the nation as a whole,” Patrick said.

Although he didn’t predict who might be tapped to head the council or what its annual budget might look like, Rosenberg said if created, the tourism council would be entirely state-funded and locally controlled.

“Tourism is one of the three largest industries in the commonwealth, and because a lot of the local tourism funding gets put into attracting people to the Springfield area, many parts of western Massachusetts don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Rosenberg said. “We have a lot of great museums, theaters and the Five College area. We have a lot we can work with right here; we just need a little more control.”

The current economic development bill was approved by state senators late Friday and is expected to reach the governor’s desk for approval by the end of next week.

According to Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, which currently works to promote tourism in the Hampshire County area, her organization would work hand-in-hand with the new council toward a common goal of developing the Pioneer Valley’s tourism industry.

“(This) demonstrates the value of regional tourism promotion as provided by the existing 13 councils. Regional promotion is vital to the state’s $15 billion tourism industry,” Wydra said.
“Our efforts put ¿heads in beds,’ showcase area attractions and strengthen the local economy by drawing visitors and their important dollars into the Pioneer Valley. We will continue to promote all three counties in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley as a year-round destination for conventions, meetings, group tour and leisure travel.” ”

If the development of a tourism council is approved, Wydra said the visitors bureau would continue to promote tourism as a way to help the state through its ongoing economic recovery.
“We cannot have an economic recovery in Massachusetts without a strong tourism sector, and we welcome the opportunity to work with all who share that goal,” Wydra said.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com