The legislative authority of a county may appropriate moneys from its general fund to be expended by the county or by joint agreement with one or more other political subdivisions or by private, nonprofit organizations for the public purpose of encouraging economic development of the county or area through promotion of tourism.

Semiannual reports on the use of the expenditures shall be made to the legislative authority by the chief officer implementing the joint agreement, or the chief officer or board of directors of the private nonprofit organizations.

As used in this section, “promotion of tourism” is the encouragement through advertising, educational and informational means, and public relations, both within the state and outside of it, of travel by persons away from their homes for pleasure, personal reasons, or other purposes, except to work, to the county, or to the local area.