Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel (1984- ).

Authorities:

Alabama Government Manual, 1982.

Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1979.

Acts 1943, No. 253, p. 223.

Acts 1951, No. 712, p. 712.

Acts 1984, No. 84-273, p. 459.

Bureau of Tourism and Travel Organizational Chart.

Bureau of Tourism and Travel Information Guide.

In 1951, the State Bureau of Publicity and Information was created. The newly created and authorized Bureau assumed all of the previously authorized and allocated duties/functions of the now defunct Division of Records and Reports of the Governor's Office. The functions, funds, jurisdiction, authority, personnel, property, and effects of the Division of Records and Reports created by the Act approved 1943 June 24, Acts of 1943 were thereby transferred to and conferred upon the newly authorized Bureau. Furthermore, the "originating act" set forth that the said Bureau was to have been guided by a Director of Publicity and Information. The Director was appointed by and served at the pleasure of the Governor. The extent, scope, and degree of the aforementioned duties of the said Director were established in the "originating act." (Acts 1951, No. 712, Sec. 1-2)

The Bureau of Publicity and Information promoted travel and tourism in and through Ala. to natural and historical sites and attractions.

The programs and functions of the Bureau were administered by the Director of Publicity and Information. The Director initiated and executed plans for promotion and tourism, cooperated with other State agencies in special area and statewide programming, and planned, as well as, attended travel shows and activities of local, state, regional, national, and international travel-related organizations. Furthermore, the Commissioner was legally authorized to employ/appoint all personnel deemed pertinent, necessary, and expedient to the administration, expedition, and perpetuation of the Bureau's legislatively allocated duties/functions. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

The Bureau of Publicity and Information was aided (in the expedition of its programs) by an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board had sixteen members. The ex-officio members were the Governor, the Director of Public Safety, the Highway Director, and the Director of Conservation. The Governor appointed twelve members, one each from the following organizations: the State Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Hotel Association, Alabama Motel Association, Alabama Broadcasters Association, Alabama Petroleum Association, Alabama Press Association, the Outdoor Advertising Association, the Alabama Travel Council, Public Relations Council, the Alabama Restaurant Association, and two from attractions selected from the State at large. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

The Bureau received annual appropriations from the General Fund. One-fourth of the license tax of rooms for rental to transients was earmarked for State travel advertising and travel promotion by the Bureau. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

Additionally the "originating act" authorized the establishment of an Advisory Board (to advise and assist the Director in the expedition of his duties). The act stated, also, that all laws or parts of laws which authorized any state department, board, bureau, commission, or agency to conduct a tourist advertising program were thereby superceded and repealed. (Acts 1951, No. 712, Sec. 3-6)

In 1984, the Bureau of Publicity and Information was legally eradicated and its powers transferred to the newly created and authorized Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. (Acts 1984, No. 84-273, p. 459)

The Bureau of Tourism and Travel was authorized to possess exclusive power and authority to plan and conduct all state programs of information and publicity designed to attract tourists to the State of Ala. The Director of Publicity was empowered to prepare news items of general interest relating to tourism, to enter into contracts and agreements with the organization known as the Southern Travel Directors Council for the purpose of expanding and extending the state's tourist advertising program, and to employ/appoint all necessary personnel for the expedition, administration, and perpetuation of the Bureau's legally authorized duties/functions. (Acts 1984, No. 84-273, Sec. 1-2)

The Bureau is headed by a Director appointed by the Governor. Assisting the Director is an Advisory Board appointed by the Governor from the following organizations: the Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Hotel and Motel Association, Alabama Petroleum Council, Alabama Broadcasters Association, Alabama Press Association, Alabama Restaurant Association, Outdoor Advertising Association of Alabama, Public Relations Council of Alabama, and the Alabama Travel Council. Ex-officio members are appointed by the Governor from the following organizations: Alabama Festivals and Events, Alabama Area and Regional Tourist Promotional Organizations, and the Alabama Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. The Governor is Ex-Officio Chairman of the Board, and the Directors or Commissioners of the following state agencies are Ex-Officio members: Dept. of Public Safety, Highway Dept., Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. (Bureau of Tourism and Travel Information Guide)

The Bureau of Tourism and Travel consists of the following divisions:

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Administrative Division.

Authority: Bureau of Tourism and Travel Organizational Chart, 1986.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Audio-Visual/Research Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Domestic/International Travel Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Editorial Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Financial Services Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Information Distribution Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Special Projects Division.

Alabama. Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Welcome Centers Division.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145407977