Local Industry Gathers to Endorse the Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism

Here in Carbon County, the travel, tourism and hospitality industry is celebrating the power of travel as part of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), slated for May 6 - 12, 2018.

Held annually in May, NTTW unites states, communities and businesses across the country to champion the impact of travel and what it means to American jobs and economic growth. In Wyoming, tourism is the state’s second-largest industry and is a major economic driver as travelers spent more than $3.5 billion in the state in 2017. Carbon County is kicking off NTTW on Monday, May 7th to highlight the importance of the industry on a local level with Governor Matt Mead honoring us as a guest server at Lollypops in Saratoga from 1:30-2:15PM.  Be sure to stop by, join in the fun, have a scoop or two of ice cream, and talk tourism with our Governor.

“In Wyoming, travel directly supports more than 32,120 full and part-time jobs,” said Leslie Jefferson,

Executive Director. “It’s important that as a state and industry, we all come together to celebrate what travel means to our community. We invite everyone—from our elected officials to residents and business owners—to celebrate the travel industry. It’s important that we all work together to support travel-friendly legislation on a local, state and national level as this industry has a direct impact on Wyoming’s economy.”

2018 marks the 35th anniversary of the 1983 U.S. Congressional resolution that established NTTW and this year’s theme, “Travel Then and Now,” gives the industry a chance to reflect on past successes as it continues to look forward to future growth.

“The travel industry has come a long way in the past 35 years,” said Diane Shober, executive director for the Wyoming Office of Tourism. “This year’s theme is letting us look back on how the travel, tourism and hospitality industry has evolved and while we celebrate those past efforts, we look forward to growing this industry and economy not only here in Wyoming, but also in the United States.” 

The travel, tourism and hospitality industry in Wyoming employs a diverse workforce that includes lodging facilities, guest ranches, outfitters and guides, restaurants, attractions, retail businesses and gas stations, while it also supports related sectors like agriculture, construction and finance.

Locally, and in Wyoming, the travel effect includes:

• 1530 local supported by travel and tourism in Carbon County
• Travel and tourism generates $9.0 million in local tax revenues
• More than $3.5 billion in travel-related spending in Wyoming
• To learn more about the significance of Wyoming’s tourism industry, visit http://www.travelwyoming.com/industry/tourism-matters & http://www.wyomingcarboncounty.com/blog