WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                            Ch. 625

4-1A-07.

SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY, THE BOARD SHALL:

(1)      DRAFT AND IMPLEMENT A 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE
PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN MARYLAND;

(2)      DRAFT AND IMPLEMENT AN ANNUAL MARKETING PLAN
CONSISTENT WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN;

(3)      ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET CONSISTENT WITH
THE MARKETING PLAN;

(4)      PROTECT, PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND RESTORE THE NATURAL,
HISTORICAL, SCENIC, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE STATE;

(5)      ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOURISM RESOURCES,
PRODUCTS, BUSINESSES, AND ATTRACTIONS IN THE STATE;

(6)      FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITIES OF TOURISTS TO,
FROM, AND WITHIN THE STATE THROUGH SIGNS, INFORMATION AIDS, AND OTHER
SERVICES;

(7)      IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF TOURISTS IN THE STATE;

(8)      ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE TRAINING AND EDUCATION OF
INDIVIDUALS FOR JOBS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, AND PROVIDE A HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN TOURISM
BUSINESSES;

(9)      ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN THE TOURISM
INDUSTRY;

(10)    PRODUCE A CLIMATE CONDUCIVE TO SMALL TOURISM BUSINESS
GROWTH AND VIABILITY;

(11)    REVIEW EXISTING AND PROPOSED TAXES, FEES, LICENSES,
REGULATIONS, AND REGULATORY PROCEDURES AFFECTING TOURISM AND
TOURISM BUSINESSES IN THE STATE AND EVALUATE THEIR IMPACT ON THE
ABILITY OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT AND GENERATE
INCOME;

(12)    SUPPORT THE CONDUCTING OF RESEARCH NECESSARY TO
EVALUATE, PLAN, AND EXECUTE EFFECTIVE TOURISM PROGRAMS;

(13)    COOPERATE WITH OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES AND
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF THE STATE'S
TOURISM AND TRAVEL INDUSTRIES;

(14)    ENCOURAGE, ASSIST, AND COORDINATE THE TOURISM ACTIVITIES
OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PROMOTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS;

(15)    PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE SECRETARY AN ANNUAL REPORT
AND OTHER MATERIAL THAT THE BOARD CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE;

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