The Utah travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, accounting for one-third to nearly half of all jobs in four of its five neighboring counties. In 2021, visitors spent a record $10.56 billion in the Utah economy, a 42.5 increase from 2020. This growth was attributed to the fact that Utah’s tourism sector generated 98,600 direct travel-related jobs and $1.37 billion in direct state and local tax revenue.
Since 2014, visitor spending in Utah has increased by an average 3.4 annually when adjusted for inflation. In 2018, travelers directly spent a record $9.75 billion in Utah, while in 2020, they spent $7.07 billion, a 29.8 year-over decrease. The majority of Utah’s domestic nonresident visitation came from California, Nevada, and Idaho, with Canada, China, and Germany as its largest international markets.
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute reports that visitors spent a record $11.98 billion in Utah in 2022, which led to $23.38 billion in total output for the state. The industry’s economic activity supported an additional 53,200 jobs through indirect and induced effects, with about 9.0 of Utah’s total jobs either directly or indirectly supported by visitor spending.
The Utah economy is diversified, covering industries such as tourism, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, information technology, finance, and more. Key findings from the report include that visitors spent a record $10.56 billion in 2021, a 42.5 increase from 2020. Additionally, the Utah Office of Tourism reported that visitors spent $11.98 billion in 2022, supporting 152,800 jobs and resulting in $2.1 billion in revenue.
📹 Avoid moving to Utah – unless you can handle these 10 negatives
Avoid moving to Utah – unless you can handle these 10 negatives. There are positives, but there are also numerous negatives to …
Which country has the highest GDP from tourism?
In 2023, the United States surpassed pre-pandemic levels in terms of travel and tourism contribution to GDP, with a total of 2. 36 trillion U. S. dollars. China and Germany followed closely, with travel and tourism contributing around 1. 3 trillion and 488 billion U. S. dollars, respectively. The total contribution of travel and tourism to global GDP reached just under 10 trillion U. S. dollars in 2023. GDP, the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year, is a crucial indicator of a country’s economic strength.
What is Utah’s number one industry?
Utah’s top industries in 2021 were financial activity, trade, transportation, and utilities, according to the University of Utah’s Gardner Policy Institute’s annual Economic Report to the Governor. Professional and business services, along with manufacturing, were the third biggest economic drivers of Utah’s GDP. Mining was one of the lowest contributors, with agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting contributing the least at half a percent.
What is the main economy of Utah?
Utah’s gross stated product in 2021 was 220 billion, with a per capita personal income of 52, 191. Major industries include coal mining, cattle ranching, salt production, and government services. Utah ranks top in the nation for Economic Dynamism, based on knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, information technology-driven, and innovation-based economies, according to the 2007 State New Economy Index.
Why is Utah’s economy so strong?
The stable tax and regulatory structure of Utah is aligned with the needs of business leaders. The state is diversified in industry, with robust energy and tourism sectors and a burgeoning finance sector in Salt Lake City, as indicated by Ben Blau, head of the Department of Economics and Finance at Utah.
Why is tourism important to Utah?
The TTR industry in Utah constitutes a vital source of employment, income, and tax revenue for the state.
Which US state makes the most money on tourism?
California leads in tourism revenue, generating over $140 billion annually. The state’s unique attractions, such as Disneyland and Disney World, contribute significantly to its revenue. A single-day visit to Disneyland costs around $500, excluding food and lodging. Florida’s theme parks and beaches contributed to $90 billion in tourism revenue in 2019, with a one-day pass to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom costing over $100 per person. These states are leveraging their unique attractions to drive significant revenue and contribute to the U. S. economy.
What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Utah?
Zion National Park in Utah offers over 90 miles of backpacking and hiking trails, including unique slot canyons like The Narrows. Visitors can also explore easier paths like Canyon Overlook Trail and Pa’rus Trail, as well as more strenuous ones like Angels Landing and the Watchman Trail. Canyoneering down or rock climbing up Zion’s 2, 000-foot-tall sandstone cliffs is also available. Arches National Park, with over 1.
5 million visitors annually, features 2, 000+ natural arches, including Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America, and the Windows Section. Less-active visitors can enjoy the park from the comfort of a vehicle or horseback.
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its sunset-colored natural amphitheaters and hoodoos, with the highest concentration of these irregular rock columns in the world. Hiking and horseback riding are great ways to see these natural beauties during the warmer months, while snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available in winter. For an extra memorable experience, camp out at the International Dark Sky Park at night for a full moon hike.
How much of Utah’s GDP is tourism?
In 2022, Utah’s tourism industry generated a record $11. 98 billion in spending, resulting in $23. 38 billion in total output for the state’s economy. The industry also generated 98, 600 direct jobs, supporting an additional 53, 200 jobs through indirect and induced effects. About 9. 0 of Utah’s total jobs were directly or indirectly supported by visitor spending.
The state’s tourism industry also generated an estimated $2. 12 billion in tax revenue, including $1. 09 billion in state and $1. 03 billion in local tax revenue. Year-over transient room tax revenue increased by an estimated 5. 2, while hotel occupancy remained flat.
Salt Lake City International Airport reported a record 26. 9 million passengers in 2023. Utah’s national parks and state parks also saw record visits, with national places reporting a record 7. 3 million visitors. The ski industry in Utah also saw record snowfall, skier days, and spending ($2. 64 billion) during the 2022-2023 ski season.
The Utah Office of Tourism’s managing director, Natalie Randall, expressed the state’s commitment to building a perpetual visitor economy and uplifting businesses and communities.
How much of Utah’s economy is tourism?
In 2022, Utah’s economy witnessed a historic influx of capital from visitors, with an estimated $11. 98 billion spent, leading to the creation of 98, 600 direct travel-related employment opportunities and a direct contribution of $1. 37 billion in state and local taxes.
What percentage of the economy is tourism?
The US travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the economy, with international visitors spending $233. 5 billion in 2019 and contributing nearly $640 million a day. The industry generates $1. 9 trillion in economic output, supports 9. 5 million American jobs, and accounts for 2. 9 of the US GDP. The International Trade Administration supports the industry through its National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) and the U. S. Commercial Service, providing data and related products to support international outreach and promotion efforts.
With over 100 offices in the US and 75 countries worldwide, the NTTO promotes US policies that encourage competitiveness, provides business counseling, match-making, and promotional support services, ensures that regulations do not adversely impact industry competitiveness, and provides information, trade data, and market analysis to the industry, partners, and policy makers. Maintaining close relationships with the industry helps enhance its competitiveness and overseas profile.
📹 Why Nobody Lives in Wyoming
Did you know that Wyoming is 324 times larger than the city of New York, but only has a population that is 14 times smaller than …
Having worked in Wyoming on different infrastructure projects when I work in construction, it’s very evident why not many people want to live there. The environment is constantly trying to kill you, especially in the wintertime. Coming from Pennsylvania, I thought it got cold where I live, but boy was I mistaken. The biggest thing is the wind. I cannot stress how deeply irritating it is to constantly have this brutal, cold wind relentlessly hitting you. It. Never. Stops. Absolutely beautiful state, though.
Wyoming was my home for 25 years. Living there was like being in love with a beautiful woman… who’s always trying to kill you. Between sub-zero temperatures, avalanches, icy roads, and grizzly bears… every time you go into the backcountry (which is everywhere around you) death is a very real possibility. I was on search and rescue with both Teton and Fremont Counties, so I saw nearly every manner of death the environment had to offer; drownings, rock falls, plane crashes, bear attacks, hunting accidents, avalanches, hypothermia, logging accidents, climbing accidents, and all on a regular basis. Living there is a daily exercise in cheating death. Now you know the real reason why Wyoming is the least populated state in the US.
My dad was a drilling mud engineer for Baroid. He checked rigs all over Wyoming when I was K-2nd grade. I remember Riverton, every house we lived in for those 3 years, my two schools, the far country of the state, the Tetons, Wind River Canyon, the balancing rock johnnies, Devil’s Tower. I consider my short time there a highlight in my lifel I am now 75.
Many years ago (Living in Seattle) I spent a summer riding my motorcycle around the country. One of my all-time favorite memories is the day I pulled into Rawlins and was “arrested” for “not wearing western cloths!” I was put on trial right there and found guilty. The “judge” told me I had my choice of sentences… a 50 cent fine or “Hung by the neck until dead!” When I chose to pay the fine I was handed 2 wooden nickels, each one good for a cold beer in any bar in town. Turns out they were celebrating an outlaw (Big Nose Jack) who was hung there after killing a popular local sheriff. What a hoot that day turned out to be.
My wife’s uncle bought what he thought was “hunting land” in Wyoming without going to actually see it. When he finally went to check it out in person he noticed that there was no water source for animals anywhere on his property or anywhere near it thus no animals to hunt. I think he only went the one time and has been trying to sell it for years now. It upsets him so much nobody even brings up Wyoming when he’s around.
I am an Aussie and I always wanted to go to Wyoming ever since I read the Flicka books. I got on a greyhound in Denver and got off at Wheatland and hired a car and got as far as Casper. Saw the Oregon trail tracks. It was early Spring and still snowy. One of my best memories was cruising down the freeway with the radio on. The sun was shining. On came “The Joker”by Steve Miller, then Fleetwood Mac. Good times. There is something about small towns and open space that feels more healthy and natural to me. I don’t think humans were made to live on top of each other. You need to live where the stars shine bright at night and you can hear an owl hooting. Luckily I’ve got a little place in rural Victoria that I can get to on weekends.
I lived in Wyoming for two and a half years of my mid 20s. There’s far, far less to do than in big cities, yes, but you would enjoy living there if you have aspirations of farming/ranching or could happily spend every day doing outdoor prairie activities (hunting, fly fishing, snowmobiling, dirt biking, etc). Plus almost no matter where you are in the state, if you hit the road before breakfast, you could be in Denver by sometime after dinner, if not sooner, and be able to enjoy a week or a weekend with big city amenities.
We bought a home on five acres without seeing it. My mother lives in Wyoming as well. She’s a widow. We live close to her. Just in case. Born and raised in Alaska lived there 40 years. This reminds me of Alaska. We love it! We see deer everyday wondering through our yard. Just like in Alaska. Every spring we had a cow (moose) have her twins in our back yard. My grandparents settled here decades ago.
I grew up in Wyoming and feel it is beautiful! There is more to Wyoming than Yellowstone. It was a great place to grow up in the 60’s & 70’s. Living in Michigan now but sometimes feel there are way too many people here! WY has beautiful bright blue skies and lower humidity. And you don’t need to go far for beautiful views of the stars!
I’m from the Midwest, but I spent a week in Wyoming on geology field camp in 2002. Spent my 21st birthday & bought my first legal beer in the great city of Buffalo, WY. There wasn’t much there besides that hotel and gas station, despite a major interstate passing through it. The city of Cody was one of the most unique places I’ve ever seen with how much they lean into their western roots. I hope it’s still like that. And the drive on US 14/16/20 from Cody to Yellowstone is still one of the most beautiful scenic drives I’ve ever seen. Living there’s probably not for me…can definitely see its appeal for the few ppl who do live there…but I can’t wait to visit there again.
As someone who has lived in Wyoming their entire life, I’ve never felt the need to move. I have friends all over the world who hate to come here, cause there’s “not much to do”, specifically in the attraction sense, but you have the opportunity to do so much that others can’t. I personally built my own forge, with family who dug out a pond for swimming in the summer, and skating in the winter. It’s definitely a land where you have to make your own enjoyment, though with the increase availability of fast Wi-Fi does make it easier for tourists to handle the area.
From FL just went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton last month and have to say Wyoming is gorgeous!!😍 love it so much the sun sets later, the air is fresh and the water is freezing and refreshing. Definitely somewhere everyone needs to visit at least once in this life. Makes you really appreciate all the beauty God created ❤😊
I visited Wyoming as part of a road trip holiday in 2017, and also to see the total eclipse on August 21st. I found it a really beautiful place, with the town of Laramie being an absolute delight. I went to Glendo National Park for the eclipse & was lucky enough to have clear blue skies for the event – the first ‘total eclipse’ I’d ever witnessed. Driving across the state on IS80 was a great experience… the huge horizons were an awesome sight for someone who lives in the ‘crowded house’ of S.E.England… as were the vast open spaces all around. I appreciate it must be a tough environment in winter, but like all of the bits of the USA I have seen on my road trips there, it is really very beautiful!
I lived in Colorado all my life and saw a state I once adored get turned into landlocked California. I put up with it for far longer than a should have, until I just couldn’t take it anymore. I spent a decent amount of time in Wyoming and absolutely loved it. The quiet, the peacefulness, the wildlife, the wonderful people, everything. I even learned to tolerate the intense wind and cold winters. I finally decided it was time to leave my native state and call Wyoming my new home. My only regret is not moving sooner.
I’ve lived in Wyoming my whole life. I was born, raised, and now growing older here. I must say, despite all of the harshness towards the state from all of the people who much prefer the city and population, it’s a perfect home for me, and even though it might not seem like very many, but plenty of other people here, as well. It’s true, that there isn’t much to do here, but for near everyone I know, we all love the more isolated feeling of the place. It feels more, free, and not at all clustered because of the lack of people. I suppose what I’m saying is, we love how there’s near no one here, and we love everything to be more laid back, and chaotic. True, there are animals like grizzly bears, but it’s unlikely that they’re at all going to traverse into the larger towns. As for people who really adore the winter and the wilderness there is here, and the quiet, calm and slowed down nature of everything, we love our home, no matter how harsh or cold the winter gets, or how unbearable it may seem at times, it’s beautiful when you get to have a look at it. But, I suppose these are my thoughts, as someone from Wyoming, and who loves living here.
Went on a road trip with some friends and we stayed in Wyoming for a few days camping around Pine Haven and Devils Tower. It was in mid May. We arrived to wind and mid 50’s. The first morning we woke up to over a foot of snow and got 6 more during the day. Our supply tent blew away and sunk in a near by lake. The closest grocery store was 1.5 hours away. Closest gas station… 45 minutes. Wyoming slapped us in the face that day and that’s coming from a dude who lives in Michigan.
I drive through this state all the time on I 80. I’m a truck driver and do a cross country run a lot. I must say, it is a very beautiful state. I was just recently trapped in rock springs due to the bad weather and they closed I 80. If I had to pick, I’d go atop the mountain east of Laramie. I’d put a house near the southern tip of the mountain that overlooks Colorado. I’d probably have to get a snowmobile, but I would love it.
I visited after I graduated high-school with a friend that had family there from Oklahoma. We stayed for a great two weeks of hunting and trout fishing. I saw it snow on the 4th of July and stood by a fire cold as his cousins swam on the bluest lake I have ever saw. I definitely have fond memories of the state.
besides the far west of wyoming with its majestic mountains and yellowstone park, wyoming is largely an arid, tree-less area of high desert and desolate land. ive often traveled through central wyoming and you will not see a single tree (and very few animals or humans) for HOURS except a few planted by houses. cheyenne is very close to colorado, so you’re getting a more northern colorado feel by then.
Wyoming is crazy windy, especially in the winter. It’s out of control most of the time. Example: my buddy has a flag pole on his property. He has gone through 4 flags (wind whipped them so hard) that are basically half flags now. It only takes about a month to make a regular flag about half the size. I’m telling you, the wind is out of control. Plus, there NO TREES from the middle of the state to the eastern border. Everything is just flat and WINDY.
I live in the Pacific Northwest, we call it the Upper Left (I know, dumb joke). I’ve been to Wyoming a number of times and must say the unmatched beauty is amazing. The kindness of the locals, the open range, the Grand Tetons and the the deep silence are there to experience. Sure, it probably has it’s drawbacks, what place doesn’t. We’re known for seemingly interminable rain and flat gray skies for months, yet the clear summer weather makes that all worthwhile. It’s been said that there isn’t a lot to do in places like Wyoming. Well, did you go all that way to be entertained or discover someplace new that requires actually getting up and walking outside to indulge yourself in some of the finest scenery and pristine places you could imagine. Wyoming is there to enjoy.
While traveling across the US in the ’70’s, my car broke down near Rock Springs. There was nobody on the Interstate until several hours later a single camper drove by me and stopped. I was very lucky because they offered help and back then there were no cell phones for emergencies. I left my car and drove with my new friend back to Rock Springs for assistance and a tow truck. Eventually, my car was towed back to Rock Springs to a Chevy dealer for repairs…and so began a new chapter in my life. What I learned that day was that even though there were so few people in the state, Wyoming residents take care of each other otherwise because help is never close by and staying alive in an emergency is a high priority.
I went to the devil’s tower last may as part of a road trip. There were several states I’d never been to before (Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota) but I liked Wyoming, and the Dakotas the best of all of them. I’d never been to the great plains, so even though I went for the Dakota’s national parks, the Great Plains were crazy to look at as well. Like being in a sea of green. Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt were both cool places to visit. I have nothing negative to say about the other states, just that I usually was just driving through most of them. Montana for instance, I was driving through at night, the same for Minnesota. I stayed at hotels at both places and the people were friendly enough, but you can’t really tell anything about places at night time. Other than Montana in May was freezing cold in comparison to my home state. It was 90 degrees already in May in Kentucky when I left. It was about 40 degrees up there at night time. I also liked Nebraska’s Sandhills. I hadn’t decided yet whether to drive through Kansas or Nebraska, and randomly chose Nebraska because the Rocky Mountain National Park was potentially going to be closed for snow (thus removing the reason I was going to Colorado) and just decided on Nebraska. So I had no idea about the sandhills and thought that area was cool to drive through and look at. Iowa kind of reminded me of KY except flatter. Wyoming’s people reminded me the most of the area of KY I’m from. Kind of people that wave as they drive by.
Although I lived in Laramie Wyoming with my friends for 1 year, yet I really miss the life, which is so peaceful and comfortable. medicine bow snowy range, vedauwoo, laramie river, each scence is always in my mind. I still hope I can go back to Wyoming and live there for the rest of my life some day. It is not an advertisement, just a good memory.
Geography and climate is everything. There is really no point in comparing Wyoming to NYC, or Rhode Island or any place else that is populous because its coastal or warm or a center of trade. No, it is not astonishing that one city can have 14 times more people than Wyoming. This type of thing happens all the time, all over the world. Where do most people want to live – a desert or mountain top, or a warm spot on the coast?
In the 80s we lived on the outskirts of Evanston. It was during the oil boom so there were people from all walks of life. Those eight years gave me a perspective on life that I will always treasure. Yes, the climate was/is harsh; it is, after all, a high desert plain. But it was the people. Mostly those who grew up there. Never since have I experienced the quality of character as that of the people of Wyoming. Honest. Hard working. Friendly. Caring. Trustworthy. Compassionate. It didn’t matter what country road, which small town, which farmer working his land, we all gave each other a wave as we drove by. If a person needed help on the side of the road at two or three of us would stop. I say “us” because there existed an unspoken understanding between people that you weren’t an outsider. You were part of a community of people who truly cared about one another. The easy going nature of people who had nothing to hide because they were genuine. I’m much older now but could still see myself retiring there if there was enough health care available. I miss standing outside at night seeing the sky fill with stars. The cool breeze always began to flow as the sun set. The scent of sagebrush and pine. The voices of the coyotes and wolves in the darkness. The endless fields of gold in September.The different types of bales awhile later. Eagles and hawks, the permanent residents. The migration of those who would return next year. The beauty of Spring. The heat of Summer. The colors of Autumn.
I’ve been hiking the Wind River Range for 45 years, beginning as a 23 year old looking at a map and saw an area that seemed impossible to really be true. With Jeep and shovels we wound our way along the Green River through the remaining snowfields (North of Pinedale along the road to Cora and beyond) and discovered what we believed to be Heaven on Earth in The Bridger Wilderness, way before the area was “discovered” by others 2 decades latter. Whitewater rafting on The Shoshone River…visiting Sierra Trading Post and Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody. I’ve shared this with family and friends plus solo trips for 2-3 weeks. I feel very fortunate to have experienced this part of Wyoming. After a lifetime of hiking many places, sea-kayaking the entire Ontario Coast and all The Great Lakes plus coastal Southeast Alaska often solo…Wyoming is special.
My son invited me out to Colorado for my 70th birthday, earlier this year. We did day visit to nearby Wyoming, and I absolutely fell in love with the small town feeling of Cheyenne. I just may make the move, someday, to be closer to my son. Thanks for the informative article. Have a great day, everyone.👍
Decades ago, my sister and I went on a road trip vacation. It was in the month of August. One of the highlights was Yellowstone National Park. Ironically, saw no bears. Did see moose, bison, and ducks. We sat at a lake near the Eastern entrance. The Teatons were spectacular. I admired the trees in full Summer bloom. The best memories I had of Wyoming.
I drove through Wyoming several years back and stopped at a Walmart in Gillette. On my way back to my car in the parking lot three teenage boys stopped me and asked me where I was from. I told them Portland OR and they responded basically in unison “take us with you we have to get out of this place!” I laughed and drove off but in hindsight I wonder if they were serious!
I love when people talk about the relaxed pace of life in the country I used to own a ranch in west Texas started work when it was light enough to see worked until after sunset no time to relax during the day and horses and cows need to be fed 7 days a week city life working only 8 to 10 hours a day 5 or 6 days a week is actually a much slower pace
Wyoming is definitely one of the most peaceful and beautiful states I’ve ever been to. I live in the mountains of North Carolina which is amazing but after spending last summer bouncing around out west living out of a van I can see myself settling down out there. Tetons and Yellowstone was cool, but the further you get from the touristy stuff and further into the wilderness the better it gets
I’ve lived in Wyoming for most of my life. I’ve lived on the east coast, while I was in the Navy, and in the south afterwards, and while I enjoyed each area for the time I was there, I still prefer the wide open space of my homestate. Most people that relocate here move out by the 5 year mark. It’s not for everyone.
Italian here and I LOVE Wyoming. I don’t know what living in Wyoming is like, but as a tourist I find it incredibly beautiful. Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP are obviously amazing places but I also absolutely loved driving around…Cody, Bighorn National Forest, Jackson, Cheyenne, Upper Green River….yes it is somehow pervaded by a deep sense of loneliness and remoteness but that’s part of the charme of this beautiful state. There’s plenty of chaotic places in the world, sometimes it really feels great to slow down a bit and enjoy the simple things. Can’t wait to go back 🤟
I was stationed in F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne for 3 and a half years and loved it, minus the wind and lack of four seasons. There is a lot of history and natural landmarks to see and some of the highlights i was fortunate enough to experience wirh my family include Yellowstone National Park, Devils Tower, Thermopolis HotSprings, Independence Rock, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Museum, white water rafting in the Wind River Reservation, BigHorn Medicine Wheel, and lastly Cheyenne Frontier Days!!!