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.
Insight: New BEA Data Uncover a Burgeoning Industry: Outdoor Recreation
By: Jennifer Leaver Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. I have long suspected—either while desperately searching for a parking spot in Big Cottonwood Canyon, waiting in long lines at REI, or watching another outdoor gear manufacturer set roots in Utah—that Utah’s outdoor recreation industry is growing. Well, now there’s proof! […]
Utah Travel and Tourism County Profiles, 2018
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has prepared economic profiles that track travel and tourism data for each of Utah's 29 counties.
Insight: Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry: Holding Strong with Shifting Trends
By: Jennifer Leaver Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. Out this week, the Gardner Institute’s Travel and Tourism Industry report shows Utah’s eighth largest industry continues to hold strong, despite shifting trends. In 2018, Utah visitors directly spent a record $9.75 billion in the Utah economy—a 6.5% increase from the previous year. This spending supported 136,000 Utah jobs and generated $1.28 billion in total[...]
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2018
Utah’s diverse travel and tourism industry provides jobs and income for Utah residents and contributes state and local tax revenue. Utah’s natural, cultural, and historical assets draw domestic and international visitors year-round. Since 2014, visitor spending in Utah’s economy increased by an average 3.4% annually when adjusted for inflation. In 2018, travelers directly spent a record $9.75 billion in Utah, generating an estimated 136,000 total Utah jobs, and $1.28 billion in state and local tax revenue. Utah’s national parks, state parks, and ski resorts experienced record visitation in 2018 as well.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, September 2019 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
In 2018, travelers and tourists spent a record $9.75 billion in Utah. Nonresident visitors spent $8.38 billion of that total, with the largest shares spent on transportation (including gasoline purchases, car rentals, transportation fares, parking), lodging, and dining. Additional nonresident visitor purchases included retail items and groceries, as well as arts, entertainment, and recreation-related activities.
Insight: Utah’s Domestic Visitors: Nonresident vs. Resident Travel
By: Jennifer Leaver Utahns know what makes our state special: majestic mountain ranges, red rock deserts, slot canyons, the Western Hemisphere’s largest saltwater lake, world-class winter sports, blue-ribbon trout streams—the list goes on. Did you know that Utah’s natural amenities are the number one draw of domestic nonresident visitors? And that each year, out-of-state visitors spend more money in Utah’s economy than do resident travelers? […]
Insight: Utah Park Travel: What are the Summer Hotspots?
By: Jennifer Leaver Summer is here and so is the heat! With Utah temperatures hovering around and surpassing 100 degrees lately, I began thinking about summer vacation and pondering Utah’s travel hotspots (no pun intended). In other words, where in Utah can we expect to see the most visitors this summer, and when is the best time to join ‘em…or avoid ‘em? […]
Insight: Recreation: Antidote to Rural Population and Job Loss?
By: Jennifer Leaver A recent Headwaters Economics (HWE) study found that during the Great Recession recovery (2010–2016), rural U.S. counties with recreational assets—or “recreation counties”—attracted new residents, reported higher incomes, and generated faster earnings growth compared with rural non-recreation counties.[i] Specific report findings include: Rural recreation counties gained 1 person per 1,000 residents while rural non-recreation counties lost 20 people per 1,000 residents. The average annual income of households moving into rural recreation counties was $8,700 higher than those moving into rural non-recreation counties. Recreation appears to draw tourism-related businesses and attract new residents who may be business owners, entrepreneurs,[...]
Insight: Wasatch Front Air Quality – Getting Better or Worse?
By: Thomas Holst Skiing on weekends is a relaxing way to appreciate Utah’s snow and the challenging terrain of local resorts. Frequently, an added benefit is to escape an inversion layer in the valley. Inversions are facilitated by the unique topography along the Wasatch Front. A recent survey conducted for the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) shows that Utahns are both informed about the causes of poor air quality and will assume responsibility for implementing solutions:[i] […]
Insight: Greatest Snow on Earth? Utah Ski Industry Highlighted
By: Jennifer Leaver As Utah experienced heavy snowfall this past ski season, thousands of tourists and native Utahns pulled out their ski gear and made their way up to the several ski resorts to enjoy the fresh powder. The easy access to world renowned skiing has always been a point of pride for Utahns, even to the point of mentioning the quality snow on our license plates. This past December at the Gardner Policy Institute, Ski Utah CEO Nathan Rafferty joined Natalie Gochnour for a conversation about Utah’s $1.4 billion ski industry. […]