SENATOR SAYS INDEPENDENT STATE TOURISM AGENCY IS NOT WORKING AND 'MIS-MESSAGING'

LINCOLN — A legislative proposal to prevent “marketing malpractice” in pitching Nebraska tourism ran into opposition from those involved in hosting visitors to the state.

Under a bill introduced by State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, the Nebraska Tourism Commission would no longer be an independent agency run by commissioners from across the state, but be folded into an office of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), a state agency controlled by the governor. Opposing Hardin’s bill were representatives of the Nebraska Travel Association and Nebraska Hospitality Association, as well as a former Tourism Commission member. They disputed that the independent State Tourism Commission, also known as “Visit Nebraska,” isn’t working.

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