Proposed American Music Tourism Act aims to boost music tourism and local economies

BRISTOL, Va. (WCYB) — On Monday, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger introduced the American Music Tourism Act to the House.

This is really just asking the Department of Commerce to really focus on that and bring people not only across the country, but from other countries into the United States to see these really cool opportunities about American music, said Birthplace of Country Music Museum Executive Director, Melissa Roberts.

The bill requires the National Travel and Tourism Office of the Department of Commerce to promote tourism to music-related venues and festivals around the United States. Specifically in our region, this bill may help promote the historical places right here in Bristol, where country music was born.

Talk about what that road looks like from Bristol to Nashville because if it weren’t for Bristol, Nashville wouldn’t be here, said Roberts.

They don’t just want to come see a 1 hour thing or a 2 hour thing and go back to a hotel or go back to a family members house, they want to get out and just search every nook and cranny, said Crooked Road General Store Owner, Marla Edwards.

And since the bill will help promote music festivals like the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, local musicians in our region could benefit.

To get more people in front of you as an artist is so important. The whole idea is to try to get your music out to people and initiatives like this can help send that message that there’s a lot of local music happening that people need to know about, said Musician, Kris Truelsen.

And it may positively impact our local economy.

They’re gonna be at all the restaurants, they’re gonna stay at all the hotels and that means increased revenue, said Roberts.

If the bill passes, the Department of Commerce must report its activities and findings to Congress within one year after the bill is signed and after that, every two years. The bill is now in the Senate’s hands.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}