Tourism pumps $14.7 billion into the state's economy, a fact of South Carolina life that Gov. Mark Sanford recognizes judging by the composition of a new economic development task force.

"The governor sees tourism as an economic development engine for South Carolina and is listening carefully to what the industry has to say about its growth," said Helen Hill, executive director of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hill is one of five tourism representatives on the 52-member task force that will advise the governor on economic development.

It will compile a report for Sanford by mid-February on how to improve South Carolina's economy.

Tom Spoonseller, executive director of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina and a member of the task force, said he thinks it's time tourism received attention in determining the state's economic development policy.

"For the first time in my memory, tourism and small-business issues are at the forefront," he said.

Other tourism industry representatives on the task force include Ashby Ward, president of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce; Mickey McCamish, president of marketing group Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday; and Toni Nance, economic development director for the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Tourism is a major employer in the Palmetto State. More than 160,000 South Carolinians work in the hospitality industry, and more than 200,000 additional jobs are somehow related to the industry.

In the Charleston area alone, tourism is a $4.5 billion industry and employs 82,000 people.

Hill said that, judging by San- ford's task force selections, tourism is finally getting some respect.

"I think you could say that tourism is getting the recognition of being the state's largest industry," she said.

Hill said she intends to point out to Sanford that South Carolina spends too little on promoting the state.

This past year, the state spent about $12.5 million on marketing, according to Spoonseller.

"We need to put more money into targeted advertising because it returns such a huge investment" to the state, she said.

Tourism is also a major contributor to the state's general fund through the taxes paid by tourists, Hill said, adding that the state's budget deficit would be a lot higher if it weren't for tourism.

"In hard times, it's an engine for revenue," she said.

Charles deV. Williams covers tourism and manufacturing. Contact him at cwilliams@postandcourier.com or 843-937-5541.