Dec. 2--The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau announced Monday that it has selected Kurt Burkhart as its executive director.

Burkhart -- who has led tourism efforts in Carlsbad, Calif., for nearly eight years -- will start work in Charlottesville on Jan. 6.

As chief of the local tourism bureau, Burkhart will oversee a staff of six part-time and four full-time employees. The bureau is responsible for promoting the Charlottesville region as a tourist destination to boost spending in local restaurants, stores, hotels and more. By increasing tourist spending, the bureau seeks to increase tax revenue for local governments.

Tourism board Chairman Bryan Elliott said in a statement: "Kurt possesses the energy, professionalism and skills to lead our organization to further success and recognition as a premier destination-marketing organization. His leadership will enhance the role tourism has as an economic stimulus for our region."

Prior to leading the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau, Burkhart held a similar job with the city of Flagstaff in Arizona.

He lived in Virginia for 30 years before leaving for the Northern Mariana Islands in 1992. On the island of Saipan, Burkhart served as public information officer and policy adviser to the island's former governor for tourism and international trade. He created the Northern Mariana Islands Film Office while serving as special assistant to the governor.

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