GAINSBORO, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee is defending his new $2.82 million “Tennessee on Me” tourism promotion effort against criticisms, predicting the program will generate a “great return on investment.”
By providing $250 air flight vouchers funded with tax money, the governor hopes to lure up to 10,000 out-of-state visitors into booking hotel rooms.
“Always a lot of critics. But that comes with politics,” Lee told reporters when asked about complaints from his fellow GOP leaders and others during his trip Thursday to rural Jackson County on the Upper Cumberland Plateau.
The visit came as the governor continues promoting Tennessee’s 225th anniversary this year as a state.
Lee said his administration is committed to “creating opportunity and jobs in this state.” He predicted the marketing campaign “will have a great return on investment” and promote tourism, calling it “a very important industry in this state.”