Attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Henry McMaster would create a separate state department in charge of tourism, as part of a broader plan to promote South Carolina, if he is elected.
The Republican might recommend dividing the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, McMaster said in a speech to the Myrtle Beach Republican Women's Club on Tuesday. The four things he would focus on for the Grand Strand are bringing more airlines to the airport, attracting more business to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, building Interstate 73 and creating an individual tourism department at the state level.
"The tourism industry is different. ... It would probably work better not as a part of parks, tourism and recreation, because that's a different sort of a thing," he said.
McMaster said he plans to have a substantial tourism budget, though he declined to say what that might mean, and would need a Cabinet-level position, a secretary of tourism, and an agency to lead the state's efforts.
"Tourism is something that can be much bigger than it is now," he said. "We've really got it all. This area itself can be an economicengine ... for the whole state."
Tourism is an $18 billion business statewide, with the Grand Strand making up a third of that.
Nancy Bent, who heard McMaster speak, said having a separate agency to handle tourism is a good idea.
"It sounds logical to me," she said.
"I would think [tourism is] so big in this state, and I'd like it to be better."
Jacci Lobaugh, who also attended the Women's Club meeting, said McMaster's experience will help him accomplish his plans.
"I personally thought he had a lot of good answers to a lot of questions," she said. "I thought he promoted South Carolina as a wonderful state, a wonderful place to be."
McMaster said he would personally meet with airport executives and bring them to the Grand Strand and explain the growth potential in the area. In addition, he would work with the congressional delegation to find funding for I -73 so that Myrtle Beach has greater accessibility, he said.
"We need to understand that economic development comes first," McMaster said. "If you don't have economic development as a priority you never have the money to do all of these things."
He plans to develop a promotional strategy at the state level in conjunction with local governments and economic development agencies, and have the S.C. Department of Commerce focus more on promotion, McMaster said.
"You've got to market it; otherwise people don't know that it's here," he said.
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