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 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.
Insight: From Restaurants to Retail: Spending Trends of Utah’s International Visitor Population
By: Jennifer Leaver English. German. Mandarin. French. Japanese. Spanish. Korean. If you’ve spent any time at one of Utah’s national parks or monuments lately, then you’ve most likely heard a mélange of languages inside the visitor centers and out on the trails. International visitors make up a healthy portion of Utah’s national park visitors. Studies show that around 20 percent—or one-fifth—of all Utah national park and monument visitors come from outside of the United States[1]. In fact, at the more popular parks like Zion and Bryce, more than 25 percent of tourist season visitors are international in origin. […]
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[...]
Insight: Travel & Tourism Employment: Not all jobs are created equal
By: Jennifer Leaver In the early 1990s, I spent three summers living and working in Moab, Utah. At the time, Moab was transitioning from a uranium boomtown/ranching community to a thriving tourism economy. Located between two national parks (Arches and Canyonlands) and bordered by the Colorado River, Moab offers limitless outdoor recreation opportunities to adventure-seekers from around the world. While living there, I worked in a variety of coffee shops, restaurants, and retail shops. I had friends that worked as river guides, EMTs, bus drivers, photographers, and recreational outfitters. The perks of working in a tourist town—stunning scenery, ample recreation[...]
Insight: The Jazz are Utah: Looking back on the Jazz wins off the court
By: Jennifer Robinson The Utah Jazz are done playing for the 2017-2018 season, but their impact on the community will last all year. Thanks to the leadership and values held both on and off the court, Utah’s NBA basketball franchise has garnered a massive following across the state and region, producing a large positive impact for our state. Utah Jazz President Steve Starks joined Natalie Gochnour for May’s Newsmaker Breakfast (watch recording here) to discuss this impact. […]
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.
Insight: The SLC International Airport is a first-class gift to Utah’s economy
By: Natalie Gochnour Originally published in the Deseret News I just completed eight years of service on the Salt Lake City International Airport Board. During this time, I observed air traffic controllers doing their stressful work, TSA officers screening luggage in their high-tech monitoring area, airline employees supervising the automated luggage sorting system, airport police working with their bomb-detecting dogs, a wildlife officer keeping birds away from the jets using pyrotechnics and raptor traps and the incredible airport staff servicing more than 23 million travelers annually. The SLC Airport is a wonder to behold. […]
May 2017 Newsmaker Breakfast: Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry
The State of Utah's Travel and Tourism Industry, 2017 Travel and Tourism Presentation (PowerPoint) Travel and Tourism Presentation (PDF) The May Newsmaker Breakfast focused on the travel and tourism industry of Utah. Utah’s diverse travel and tourism industry generates jobs and income for Utah residents and produces tax revenue for the state. Domestic and international travelers and tourists 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, eight national monuments, two national recreation[...]