May 19, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tourism leaders are excited about Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's State of the State address, and his push to get more tourism funding.
Governor Haslam talked about creating jobs, and the fact that tourism creates jabs across the Volunteer state. Industry leaders want more money to promote Tennessee and get more visitors.
Haslam has set $8M aside in the proposed budget to help market the state to other areas.
"You know that $8 million sounds wonderful for reaching out and being competitive with some of these other states that are really putting major dollars behind their tourism promotion campaigns," said Amanda Maples Marr with the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
Tourism is the state's 2nd largest industry. Many areas of the Smokies saw a 15-20% increase in tourism.
