May 15, 2024 — Cheyenne, Wyo. - As National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) nears, the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) is pleased to highlight the significant role the travel industry has on the state as a whole. Tourism, the second largest industry in Wyoming, covers all 23 counties and positively impacts residents throughout the state. Wyoming boasts iconic national landmarks, world-class museums and a host of other attractions, providing visitors with endless opportunities for exploration.
Travel is a lead contributor to sales and use tax, making it the largest private sector employer in Wyoming and essential to the state's economic well-being. NTTW presents an ideal moment to celebrate the numerous ways travelers contribute to the state's prosperity, from supporting local businesses to enriching the cultural fabric of communities.
"The data shows year after year how important travel and tourism is to Wyoming's economic growth, "said Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism. "We know the true value of what Wyoming's wonders offer to visitors and residents is beyond measure and simply must be experienced first hand to understand."
Below, discover the highlights of the 2023 Economic Impact of Travel report.
• Wyoming welcomed an estimated 8.7 million visitors – a 2.5% increase over 2022.
• Visitors spent $4.8 billion buying goods & services from Wyoming businesses – a 6.5% increase over 2022.
• $4.8 billion in spending generated an estimated $263 million in sales and use tax for local and state governments – an increase of 6.3% over 2022.
• The visitor economy, which supports more than 33,000 jobs, gained 840 jobs – an increase of 2.6%.
• Salaries and wages increased by 14.3%, totaling $1.2 billion in earnings.
VIEW FULL REPORT HERE
NTTW is a time to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the industry's 33,000+ workforce as well as the organizations and businesses that welcome visitors to Wyoming daily. Wyoming's warm hospitality and western way of life are fundamental to sustaining the Cowboy State’s robust visitor economy.
The annual weeklong event will be held May 19-25, 2024 and commemorates the significant contributions of the travel industry in the United States.
Established in 1983, NTTW has become an annual tradition to recognize the travel industry's role in stimulating economic growth, fostering vibrant communities, creating high-quality job opportunities, promoting business activity and enhancing the overall quality of life for ordinary Americans.
Travel acts as a catalyst for a thriving U.S. economy, playing a vital role in driving the success of various industries. In 2022, the U.S. travel industry contributed to economic output of $2.6 trillion and supported 15 million jobs, benefiting communities, small businesses and working families throughout the nation.
The Wyoming Office of Tourism has planned a weeklong series of events to celebrate NTTW including a formal proclamation signing with Governor Mark Gordon on May 16, an industry homepage takeover on TravelWyoming.com, as well as social media posts and events to highlight the travel and hospitality industry.
To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit ustravel.org/NTTW.
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