State to Spend $250K Marketing Non-stop Flight to Europe

None by KCPW

Tourism Officials Hope to Convince Delta Airlines

(KCPW News) State tourism officials are so eager to see Delta Airlines start a non-stop flight from Salt Lake to Paris, they're coughing up $250,000. Delta hasn't yet decided to create the flight, but State Tourism Director Leigh von der Esch says the money should be a signal:

"Saying to Delta, 'Hey we are excited about the possibility of a direct flight to Europe, and this is how we will support your efforts."

Von der Esch emphasizes the $250,000 is not a direct incentive for the airline. It will come from a fund created by the legislature for tourism and be used on a marketing plan developed jointly by tourism agencies at the state and county level, as well as the airport and the Salt Lake Chamber.

Von der Esch says the marketing plan will draw international visitors to Utah and promote Salt Lake as a European gateway to travelers from the Intermountain West.

If Delta decides not to offer the flight, the Utah Tourism Board voted to have the money go back into the state's general tourism marketing fund.

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