Partner Highlights Blog:
Garfield County
Last week, members of the Utah Office of Tourism team conducted an insightful two-day partner tour in Garfield County, focused on strengthening collaboration and gaining firsthand understanding of the region's tourism landscape, including new developments and operational considerations.
Monday began with a productive meeting at the Garfield County Courthouse with key Garfield County representatives: Tourism Director Falyn Owens, Economic Development Director Kaden Figgins, and Public Works Director David Dodds. The afternoon offered a glimpse into local culture with a visit to Escalante Outfitters, a pizza and gear shop in a scenic setting, followed by a drive through Escalante highlighting the town's evolving businesses. A key highlight was the tour of Ofland, the transformed Shooting Star property now featuring diverse lodging options like deluxe and tiny cabins, vintage Airstreams, and campsites. Amenities include a General Store with DIY meal provisions and beverages, the Outdoor Lodge patio for socializing and events, and a pool and jacuzzi. Ofland also continues its popular drive-in movie nights with an Airstream concession stand. The team then visited the innovative Clear Sky Resort in Tropic, which now offers 62 unique domes with two more underway. Upcoming additions include a yoga dome (May opening) and stables (July) and a projection dome (360 movie) in the future. Their strong occupancy, driven by social media, and nightly telescope tours for stargazing were noted. The day concluded with a valuable dinner at Stone Hearth Grill in Tropic with Garfield County partners.
Tuesday centered on regional synergy at a meeting hosted at Ruby’s Inn. This brought together representatives from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS), along with the UOT team, local Garfield County representatives, Ruby’s Inn General Manager Lance Syrett, and Aramark's General Manager Debbie Scatter. Discussions emphasized the importance of local coordination in supporting the region's tourism sector. Bryce Canyon National Park representatives shared news of record visitation over the past five months, highlighting unique factors affecting visitation and the effectiveness of their shuttle system, for which Bryce Canyon City provides a favorable land lease. While widespread cancellations haven't occurred, Lance Syrett expressed concern about July and August European bookings, which never fully recovered from the pandemic. Aramark is adapting to changing travel patterns by extending its operating season. The upcoming 100th anniversary of the Lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park will be celebrated this year.
This partner tour provided crucial firsthand insights into the opportunities and evolving challenges within Garfield County's tourism sector. The strong collaborative spirit among stakeholders is vital for navigating the future and ensuring a resilient and thriving tourism industry for this significant region.