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CHARLESTON (AP) -- Officials estimate tourism means about $3 billion a year to the southern end of the South Carolina coast.

Now, state and local officials are developing a plan to expand tourism in the Charleston area and want suggestions from the public. A hearing is being held Thursday at Santee Cooper headquarters in Moncks Corner.

Another hearing is set for next Wednesday at the Charleston Museum in downtown Charleston.

The effort is designed to come up with specific recommendations for expanding tourism in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism is working with consultants from Tourism Development International and local officials in developing the plan.

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