A new state-funded study says Pennsylvania should create an independent tourism commission and change the handling of county hotel room tax revenue.
 
The Scranton Times-Tribune says the study by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative research agency, looks at ways to help promote tourism in the commonwealth.
 
State spending for tourism promotion has dropped sharply in the past few years, leaving tourism promotion agencies to rely more heavily on hotel room tax revenues. The study envisions a state tourism commission promoting national and state heritage parks along with state-owned historic sites and festivals, fairs and performing arts centers.
 
It also suggests more reporting requirements for county room tax revenues, which researchers said should be turned over to the state which would then reimburse the counties.