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Jason Perry, Executive Director, GOED
Leigh von der Esch, Director, UOT
Tracie Cayford, Deputy Director
David Williams, Deputy Director
Chad Davis, Newsletter Editor
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March 3, 2009 e-UPDATE:
- From The Managing Director
- What is Pow Wow?
- Colorado Classroom Visits Utah Through Pictures
- Industry Snapshot
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COMING UP...
Utah Tourism Conference
May 13 - 15, Layton
CLICK FOR INFO
Now Accepting Nominations for 2009 Tourism Hall Of Fame
DOWNLOAD FORM
Enter The 2009 Utah Tourism Marketing & Advertising Contest
DOWNLOAD FORM
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From The Managing Director
I recently had a chance to meet with the US Travel Association's leaders, fellow State Tourism Directors and Public Lands representatives in Washington, DC. The topics of discussion ranged from the Federal Stimulus bill to the legislation contemplated on DC's Capitol hill regarding cooperate meetings and travel with respect to companies receiving the stimulus monies, to the overall economic downturn and state budgets around the country. While overall travel was down about 3.5% (driven largely by business travel), the perceived affordability of travel is up significantly and bodes well for those destinations that are able to deliver a message of great value and/or deals and accessability. Utah is perfectly positioned to take advantage of those folks looking for places that offer great value, and accessible activities for families and single travelers. It was reassuring to see that we were on target with our state messaging for our TV and print ads rolling out this month.
This week the legislature will end at midnight on Thursday, March 12th. We had a great Tourism Day on the Hill, which produced many opportunities to meet with House and Senate members about the importance of tourism to the economy and the critical need for tourism funding. On March 19th at 1:30p the board will meet at their new time at the Capitol. We will be reviewing the 2008-09 budget and the 09-10 budget at that time. Watch for a posting of which room later this week. Thanks for all you do to help us market this great state! Leigh
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Industry Snapshot
2007 vs. 2008
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Total Spending
$7.19 Billion: ^ 6.2%
Total Visitors
20.4 million: ^ 1%
Tax Revenue
$631 million: ^ 3.6%
Skier Visits
4.3 million: ^ 2.4%
State Park Visitors
4.4 million: ν 8.2%
Nat'l Park Visitors
8.7 million: ^ 1.9%
Hotel Occupancy
68.9%: ^ 0 .7%
Traffic at borders
24.7 million: ^ 3.3% |
What Is Pow Wow?
The U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In just three days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA - and representing all industry category components and close to 1,500 International and Domestic Buyers from more than 70 countries - conduct business negotiations that result in the generation of over $3.5 billion in future Visit USA travel.
The Utah Office of Tourism will join with more than 30 of its in-state tourism partners to attend the 41st International Pow Wow, scheduled for May 16-20, 2009. The delegation will present more than a dozen Utah destinations. The exciting news is that all of the Utah booths will be together again at the Miami Beach Convention Center, representing both the Mountain and Southwest regions of the country.
click for more...
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Colorado Classroom Visits Utah Through Pictures/UOT Materials
When Mrs. Hokanson's 1st Grade class, in DeBeque, CO, decided to take a field trip; they didn't need to look very far. Considering their next-door-neighbor is a geological and dinosaur haven, it was a natural for them to head west.
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