Utah Office of Tourism's Business Development Workshop Inspires Innovation in Agritourism and Astrotourism

Cedar City, UT – The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) recently hosted a highly successful Tourism Business Development Workshop on August 11-12 in Cedar City, Utah, bringing together tourism professionals, business owners, and community leaders from across the state. The event, funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support the resiliency in tourism post pandemic, was free to attend and provided invaluable insights into the burgeoning fields of agritourism and astrotourism.

UOT extends its sincere gratitude to our exceptional host, Visit Cedar City - Brian Head, for their outstanding support and hospitality. The workshop was a collaborative effort, made possible by the diverse expertise of presenters and collaborators from various organizations, including the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), Utah State University (USU), private businesses, and other key partners and organizations.

Attendees were treated to a dynamic program featuring expert-led sessions, engaging discussions, and practical strategies for developing and enhancing tourism offerings. The positive feedback from participants underscores the workshop's significant impact and the immediate value it provided.

Allison Yamamoto-Sparks, from the San Juan County DMO, shared her enthusiasm: "I honestly can't remember the last time I left a conference feeling so inspired, and with so many ideas of things I could start working on immediately." 

Payton Fisher, owner of The Farm in Hurricane, Utah, praised a global marketing presentation, stating, "It was such a pleasure attending your class and hearing your insights on marketing tourism to audiences around the world."

The workshop's focus on agritourism deeply resonated with participants, as articulated by Caroline Hargraves of UDAF: "I'm sure you heard it firsthand, but you would be moved to tears to hear how much it meant to the farmers and ranchers I spoke with, and how excited they were to have such support from the state.”

The impact of the workshop extended to the county level, as reported in the Emery County August Newsletter: "The Utah Office of Tourism recently hosted a two-day workshop focused on Agritourism and Astrotourism—two growing markets that align closely with Emery County’s strengths." The newsletter highlighted the Emery County Travel Bureau's encouragement of local participation and the enthusiasm of attendees in exploring new tourism opportunities, particularly given the county's rich agricultural heritage and world-class dark skies.

The success of this workshop demonstrates the Utah Office of Tourism's commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable growth within the state's tourism industry. By providing accessible education and fostering collaboration, UOT is empowering communities and businesses to tap into emerging markets and enhance Utah's appeal as a premier tourist destination.