OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state is shuttering its official tourism office next week and cutting all funding for self-promotion. It will be the only state in the nation to take such a drastic step.
The transition is the most extreme example of the widely varying strategies among states trying to balance budget cuts with ways to spur economic growth.
Some are pouring millions of dollars into fresh marketing, while others like New York and Arizona are slashing their promotional spending to help shore up state budgets.
Michigan recently launched an $11 million national advertising campaign. Officials there believe they can get $3 in tax revenue back for every dollar they spend on marketing.
