Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Encyclopedia
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is a Cabinet-level agency within the Tennessee
state government, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development
, who is currently Susan Whitaker. The Department is responsible for attracting the tourism
to Tennessee and marketing to residents both in the United States
and internationally. Annually, $100,000, or however much is necessary of that amount, is appropriated from the general fund of the state when not otherwise appropriated for carrying out the Department's duties.
According to Tennessee law, when the Department was first created in 1976, it was divided into the tourism division and the hotel
and restaurant
division. Divisions may be abolished or added by the Commissioner with governor approval, and the Commissioner can also transfer to the tourism division any employees of the department. The Commissioner appoints a director of the tourist division, who is required by statute to be a competent person, properly informed on public contracts, publicity, tourism, and tourist promotion, having executive ability. The tourist division is also responsible for managing thirteen welcome centers across Tennessee's interstate highways, from which tourists may make hotel and campground reservations.
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
state government, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development
Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development
The Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development is the head of Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development, which is concerned with attracting tourism to the state...
, who is currently Susan Whitaker. The Department is responsible for attracting the tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
to Tennessee and marketing to residents both in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and internationally. Annually, $100,000, or however much is necessary of that amount, is appropriated from the general fund of the state when not otherwise appropriated for carrying out the Department's duties.
According to Tennessee law, when the Department was first created in 1976, it was divided into the tourism division and the hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
division. Divisions may be abolished or added by the Commissioner with governor approval, and the Commissioner can also transfer to the tourism division any employees of the department. The Commissioner appoints a director of the tourist division, who is required by statute to be a competent person, properly informed on public contracts, publicity, tourism, and tourist promotion, having executive ability. The tourist division is also responsible for managing thirteen welcome centers across Tennessee's interstate highways, from which tourists may make hotel and campground reservations.