The Task Force recommended actions that would enable public and private enterprises consolidate resources and efforts in promotions and advertising and to create a tourism authority which would consolidate state entities, saving on operational costs and directing a unified statewide tourism strategy. The Georgia Tourism Foundation was created by the legislature in 2005.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

New Tourism Authority
Consolidate Georgia's tourism efforts into a single, independent authority.

Develop a Long-Term Strategy
Evaluate the goals and performance of each organization supporting tourism, and determine a long-term strategy for each to contribute to the overall tourism effort.

Expand Public & Private Funding
Expand public and private funding for tourism marketing, advertising and research.

New Master Plan for Coastal Georgia
Develop a master development plan for Coastal Georgia that balances economic development with environmental preservation, and use this plan as a model for other regions of Georgia.

Review Promotional Incentives
Review current incentives to promote tourism jobs and investment, and revise if needed.

Pass New Legislation
Support legislation enabling the Georgia Department of Economic Development to join the private sector in tourism marketing efforts. Support HB1415 on hotel/motel tax reform.