Despite the crowds, traffic moved quickly through the main entrance of Frontier Park during Cheyenne Frontier Days.
As National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) approaches, the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) would like to highlight the important role the travel industry plays for the entire state. Wyoming's second largest industry, tourism, covers all 23 of his counties and positively impacts residents across the state. Wyoming is home to iconic national landmarks, world-class museums, and many other attractions, offering visitors endless opportunities to explore.
The tourism industry is a major contributor to sales and use taxes, is Wyoming's largest private sector employer, and is essential to the state's economic prosperity. NTTW is an ideal moment to celebrate the many ways travelers contribute to the state's prosperity, from supporting local businesses to enriching the cultural fabric of our communities.
“Year after year, the data shows how important travel and tourism is to Wyoming's economic growth,” said Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Tourism Authority. “We know that the true value that Wyoming's wonders bring to visitors and residents is immeasurable and must be experienced firsthand to be understood.”
Below are highlights from the 2023 Economic Impact of Travel report.
- Wyoming welcomed an estimated 8.7 million visitors, a 13.8% increase over 2022.
- Visitors spent $4.8 billion purchasing goods and services from Wyoming businesses, an increase of 6.5% compared to 2022.
- The $4.8 billion in spending will generate an estimated $263 million in sales and use taxes for local and state governments, an increase of 6.3% from 2022.
- The visitor economy, which supports more than 33,000 jobs, gained 840 jobs, an increase of 2.6%.
- Salaries and wages increased 14.3%, totaling $1.2 billion in revenue.
NTTW is a time to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the industry's more than 33,000 employees and the organizations and businesses that welcome visitors to Wyoming every day. Wyoming's warm hospitality and Western lifestyle are the cornerstone of maintaining the Cowboy State's robust visitor economy.
This annual week-long event will be held from May 19-25, 2024 and will commemorate the significant contributions of the U.S. travel industry.
Founded in 1983, NTTW recognizes the travel industry's role in stimulating economic growth, fostering vibrant communities, creating quality employment opportunities, promoting business activity, and improving the quality of life for ordinary Americans. This is an annual event where awards are given.
Travel serves as a catalyst for U.S. economic prosperity and plays a critical role in driving the success of a variety of industries. In 2022, the U.S. travel industry contributed $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 15 million jobs, and benefited communities, small businesses, and working families across the country.
The Wyoming Tourism Office is planning a week-long series of events celebrating the NTTW, including a formal proclamation signing with Governor Mark Gordon on May 16, an industry home page takeover on TravelWyoming.com and social media posts and events highlighting the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
