History

Office Creation

The Utah Office of Tourism, formerly known as the Division of Travel Development (commonly referred to as the Utah Travel Council), was created within the Department of Development Services in 1967 as part of a consolidation of several related state agencies (Laws of Utah 1967, ch. 175).

1941 - Department of Publicity and Industrial Development
Publicity for Utah was previously handled by several other agencies. In 1941, the Legislature (Laws of Utah 1941, ch. 75) created the Department of Publicity and Industrial Development.

1953 - Utah Tourist and Publicity Council
In 1953, the Department of Publicity and Industrial Development and the Road and Tourist Information Office (which had been created within the State Road Commission by proclamation of Governor J. Bracken Lee in 1952) were replaced by the newly created Utah Tourist and Publicity Council within the Industrial Commission (Laws of Utah 1953, ch. 123).

1967 - Division of Travel Development (Utah Travel Council)
In 1967, several departments were coordinated and consolidated by the Legislature in the Utah Development Services Act (Laws of Utah 1967, ch. 175); this act created the Division of Travel Development and abolished the Tourist and Publicity Council. The Division's purpose was to plan and conduct a program of information, advertising, and publicity relating to the recreational, scenic, historic, highway and tourist advantages and attractions of the state. The Division of Travel Development, commonly referred to as the Travel Council, was within the Department of Community and Economic Development. The 1967 Utah Development Services Act (Laws of Utah, 1967, ch. 175) created the Department of Development Services with the Division of Travel Development and the Board of Travel Development within that department. The Department of Development Services was later reorganized (Laws of Utah, 1979, ch. 234) to become the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

2005 - Utah Office of Tourism
Our office name was updated to the Utah Office of Tourism and we merged with the Utah Film Commission. Our department name was also updated to the (Utah) Governor's Office of Economic Development. In 2021, our department name changed to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, changed to the Governor's Office of Economic Development in 2026.

Administration and Directors

Natalie Randall

Vicki Varela

Leigh Von der Esch

Richard Bradford

Dean Reeder

The managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism is responsible for the administration and general supervision of the division. This individual is appointed by the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, with the concurrence of the Board of Tourism Development.

The Board of Tourism Development provides policy direction, in approving the plans for education, advertising, and publicity programs and for the coordination of the entities involved in travel promotion submitted by the director.

Funding comes from the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund. The annual appropriation for the fund is based on the economic growth in the travel and tourism industry.

Left to right: D James Cannon at Council Hall, Gerreld L. Pulsipher addressing crowd at Taylor Creek Road dedication, Jay C. Wooley presenting Governor Bangerter with tourism visitation "check".

Utah Film Commission Joins the Utah Office of Tourism

Formed in 1974, the Utah Film Commission was an initiative started by Governor Cal Rampton as a way to attract film productions to the state. It became a part of the Utah Office of Tourism in 2005. Their mission is to promote the entire state of Utah for film, television and commercial production and foster the development of local talent, crew and industry.

Since 1924, Utah has been capturing the imagination of filmmakers and storytellers and today is no exception. With thousands of productions created in-state, Utah has an undeniably deep and lasting commitment to the entertainment industry. Film production creates jobs in the creative sector while supporting local businesses and encouraging tourism across the state. Utah’s Motion Picture Incentive Program has had a profound impact on the state, both economically and culturally.

Visit the Utah Film Commission's website to learn more about the office and for a deeper dive into Utah's 100 year history in film and television.

Council Hall

Originally named City Hall and built in 1865–66, Council Hall was designed by William H. Folsom and was originally located at 120 East 100 South. It served for nearly 30 years as the seat of government for Salt Lake City and the Utah Territory, housing the mayor's office, courts, council chambers, and the territorial library. Important territorial laws and appropriations were passed here, including the creation of free public schools, funding for the first University of Utah buildings, and the granting of women's suffrage (where Utah women became the first in the nation to cast a ballot).

Thanks to efforts and support headed by David O. McKay and Nicholas G. Morgan, the building was saved from demolition before being dismantled and reassembled at its current Capitol Hill location in 1962. Council Hall was home to the Utah Office of Tourism and welcome center from the building dedication in 1963 until 2026. The Utah Film Commission joined in 2025.