Visitors from surrounding states taking in Utah attractions before flying to Europe. Europeans boarding a nonstop flight to Utah in order to get to the state's national parks. Folks from Africa and other continents using Europe as a springboard for visiting Utah.

All those scenarios prompted the Utah Board of Travel Development on Tuesday to put $250,000 from its Tourism Marketing Performance Fund in a kitty along with money from two other agencies to promote possible Delta Air Lines nonstop flights between Salt Lake City and Paris.

Delta and Salt Lake City International Airport officials have said the proposed flights could become a reality by next summer, although a Delta representative has said an incentives package is needed — one that would include marketing assistance and other assurances that the flight would be profitable, including possible landing-fee waivers or other breaks.

The board's unanimous vote Tuesday would create a partnership among the Office of Tourism, the airport and the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau to develop a marketing plan to bring in international visitors as well as those from neighboring states who might use Salt Lake City to get to Paris. If the flight never materializes, the allocation returns to the tourism office.

The airport will contribute $250,000, and the CVB will provide $150,000 to the effort.

"This is something that's been talked about within the state for some time," said the board's chairman, Kim McClelland. "Certainly it creates some business opportunities, having a direct flight to Europe, but also has some huge ramifications as it relates to some tourism opportunities. ... Obviously, none of these things are free."

"We have significant contribution by international visitors, and I think it would allow us to become a launching-off city, a gateway city, to our national parks," said Leigh von der Esch, the tourism office's executive director. She added that people from Idaho, Montana and Wyoming might spend time in Salt Lake City before flying to Europe on the Delta flight.

Board member Frank Jones said Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport is huge, with flights to and from Africa and other points worldwide. "So people are going to effectively get to Salt Lake from anywhere in the world with one stop through Paris," Jones said.

McClelland recommended that the marketing plan "sell to our strengths over there," which he said are national parks and skiing.

"I would just hope that if we move forward and put together a marketing plan, that we really sell to those two strengths, because I think those are two things that might very well motivate people to come here and enjoy everything we have to offer," he said.

Several board members voiced enthusiasm for the potential of the effort. Mona Given called it "an exciting thing." Colin Fryer described it as "a great opportunity." Bob Bonar called it "a great investment for us."

"I think down the road," McClelland said, "it could really grow into something significant for us. ... I think it's great to use some of the state's money for something like this, to put us on the map internationally. I think it's a fabulous use of the fund."

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