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.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2019
Travel and tourism is one of Utah's top ten industries, supporting one in 11 Utah jobs and generating over a billion dollars in state and local tax revenue annually.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, September 2020 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
In 2019, travelers and tourists spent a record $10.06 billion in Utah. Nonresident visitors spent $8.62 billion of that, with the largest shares spent on transportation (including gasoline purchases, car rentals, transportation fares, and parking), lodging, and dining. Additional nonresident visitor purchases included retail and groceries, as well as arts, entertainment, and recreation–related activities.
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.
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.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2018
Utah is home to 14 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City) and 10 resorts less than an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.
Utah Travel and Tourism Profile: State and Counties 2016-2017
The State of Utah had an 11.9 percent leisure and hospitality share of total private jobs in 2017, ranking 36th among all states. Utah has a diverse travel and tourism industry, which generates jobs and income for Utah residents and produces tax revenue for the state. Domestic and international visitors are drawn to Utah’s natural, cultural, and historical assets. Utah has 14 ski resorts, 10 of which are within one hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, as well as five national parks, 11 national monuments, two national recreation areas, one national historic site and 43 state parks. Throughout the [...]
Utah Outdoor Partners Survey of Businesses, 2018
Utah is currently experiencing a period of dynamic economic growth. Executives from 50 of the fastest growing companies in Utah were interviewed to determine the influence Utah's outdoor recreational opportunities have on location decisions, employee recruitment and retention, and the overall desirability of doing business in the state.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2018
Utah’s diverse travel and tourism industry generates jobs and income for Utah residents and produces tax revenue for state and local governments. Domestic and international visitors are drawn to Utah’s natural, cultural, and historical assets. Utah has 14 ski resorts, 10 of which are less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport, as well as five national parks, 11 national monuments, two national recreation areas, one national historic site, and 43 state parks. Throughout the year, Utah hosts several arts events, such as the Moab Music Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tuacahn Theater Series, Utah Arts Festival, Utah Festival [...]
Policy Brief: Utah’s Olympic Economic Legacy, 2018
The 2002 Olympic Winter Games enlarged the Utah economy and left a lasting economic legacy. This legacy continues to grow and change as the Utah economy matures in each subsequent year since the Games.