Travel & Tourism
The Gardner Institute produces leading travel and tourism research in Utah. We produce reports, profiles, research briefs, fact sheets, data sheets, and blogs on Utah’s visitor economy. Our research informs the Utah Office of Tourism, destination marketing organizations, policymakers, and the general public.
Tourism, Recreation, and Restaurant Taxes in Utah
Tourism in Utah generates significant tourism-specific and other taxes, but regional differences in local revenues and tourism impacts can pose challenges.
The Evolving Landscape of Utah’s Short-Term Rental Market
Short-term rental (STR) growth accelerated dramatically across the United States as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behaviors, thus increasing their market demand. This report summarizes the recent trends in the growth of STRs across Utah and how this growth relates to the total housing supply.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2024 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
Visitors spent a record $12.71 billion in Utah’s economy in 2023, generating 159,800 total jobs and a record $2.35 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Utah Travel & Tourism County Profiles, 2023
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepares annual travel and tourism industry profiles for all 29 Utah counties. These profiles include detailed breakdowns of several economic indicators such as employment, tax revenue, accommodations, and more.
An Economic Summary of Summit County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Summit County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $534.1 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 1,845 Summit County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Rich County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Rich County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $3.2 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 36 Rich County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Cache County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Cache County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $392.4 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 2,516 Cache County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Box Elder County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Box Elder County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $54.0 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 433 Box Elder County jobs in 2023.
Utah Olympic Winter Games: Then and Now
This fact sheet compares Utah in 2002 with Utah in 2034. In 2034, Utah will be larger, older, and more racially and ethnically diverse. The Utah economy will be nearly twice the size of 2002 and feature a much larger tourism sector, more international engagement, improved infrastructure, and a robust winter sports economy.
A Living Legacy: Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation preserves an Olympic history, provides a robust economic contribution to the state, and creates dynamic opportunities for athletes, staff, visitors, and the community