Tourism professionals from across the state rallied in Harrisburg this morning in support of budgeting $24 million for tourism promotion for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposed budget for 2010-11 earmarks only $11.25 million, an amount that would endanger tourism jobs in Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

Tourism generates $18 billion in wages and benefits for more than 400,000 tourism employees, according to the statement. One dollar in state tourism promotion funding has a return on investment of at least $25 in state and local tax revenues as a result of visitor spending, the statement said.

About 150 people assembled at the state Capitol to support the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, its 49 partner organizations and the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association.

“With the economic challenges this state is facing in the next fiscal year, legislators cannot afford to cut funding to economic engines like tourism,” said Rob Fulton, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. “When you consider the ripple effect tourism has in our communities, travel and tourism is one of those key sectors where modest investments — even in tight budgetary times — can produce sizeable returns in economic growth, tax revenues, and sustainable jobs.”