Don Brunell - The private sector is stepping up for tourism

Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. That’s particularly true in these tough economic times, as “business and usual” no longer works.

As governors and state lawmakers across our nation deal with record budget deficits, tourism promotion is being slashed. Many in the travel industry realize that if colorful travel brochures and television commercials are to continue, they will have to be privately funded.

For example, in Texas, tourism is the second largest industry, employing 525,000 people and bringing in $55 billion per year. Still, lawmakers there propose to reduce the state’...