Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has submitted an executive order to the Kansas Legislature to move the state’s Tourism Division to the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The move is the result of input from businesses, destination marketing organizations and groups like the Kansas Economic Development Alliance and the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association.    The purpose of the reorganization is to consolidate the state’s tourism efforts as an economic development tool.

Governor Kelly said the realignment will benefit the business community, the tourism industry and the state’s economic recovery.    The president of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas, Jim Zeleski of Labette County, said this is a move that the tourism industry has supported.  He said it will provide for a coordinated marketing effort to establish and promote a consistent, strong state brand and a single “front door” to Kansas.

The executive order will become effective on July 1st unless the Kansas Senate or the Kansas House adopts a resolution disapproving it.