Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-220

ECO 220

Travel and Tourism

Messrs. Kennedy, Moore, O'Connor and Timilty moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7008-0900, by striking the item in entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-

"7008-0900 For the operation and administration of the office of travel and tourism; provided, that the office shall be the commonwealth’s official and lead agency to facilitate and attract: (a) major sports events and championships; and (b) motion picture production and development; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended on efforts to ensure the recovery and continued vitality of the commonwealth’s tourism and hospitality industry post-pandemic; provided further, that eligible uses for the funds shall include, but not be limited to, covering lost payroll, rent and other expenses, adapting programming to cope with COVID, investing in technology and infrastructure for safe reopening, and planning efforts to develop creative solutions to build and transform the tourism and hospitality sector to adapt to the post-pandemic environment; provided further, that not later than March 1, 2023, the office shall provide an annual report to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided further, that said report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an overview of the tourism industry in the commonwealth; (ii) the economic impact of domestic and international travelers to the commonwealth; (iii) a breakdown of the regional tourism council grant allocations; and (iv) strategies to combat the effects of 2019 novel coronavirus on the tourism industry in the commonwealth................................$10,000,000".