Bill to set
up Visitor's Bureau heads to the governor for approval
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
The Senate yesterday
approved the House version of the Administration's bill establishing
the American Samoa Visitor's Bureau (ASVB) as a semi autonomous
agency of the government.
Sen. Alo Dr.
Paul Stevenson, chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee
that reviewed the bill last month, said this is a request from
the governor and the senate will honor his wishes in this important
measure.
He said if there
is a funding problem, then the administration and the new bureau
can address those concerns when the time comes, but the bill
is very important to the governor.
According to
the bill, the governor will provide ASVB with funding. Unspent
funds that were allocated to the Tourism Office at the time the
office is dissolved will be transferred to the ASVB. This will
not include money specifically designated for salaries for Tourism
Office employees who will remain with the Department of Commerce.
The ASVB will
be the leading agency "for the promotion of the Territory
as a tourist destination," according to the bill.
It will be governed
by a seven member board (from both public and private sector)
nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Fono.
The bill will
go into effect as soon as it receives the governor's signature.
Reach the
reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
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