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*NEWS ADVISORY *

January 29, 2025

CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director

[email protected]

 

*Governor Gordon Delivers Keynote Address at Travel and Tourism Gala *

 

CHEYENNE, WYO – Governor Mark Gordon delivered the keynote address at the Governor's Hospitality & Tourism Conference “Salute to the Industry Gala” on January 28 in Cheyenne, highlighting the successes and economic impacts of Wyoming’s tourism industry.

“Tourism is a vital component of the Cowboy State Economy,” Governor Gordon said. “Our tourism industry showcases to the world what Wyoming has to offer, and the economic impacts are felt in Wyoming communities and on our main streets.”   

Preliminary estimates indicate that travel-related spending in Wyoming increased to $4.9 billion in 2024. The Leisure and Hospitality sector is the largest private-sector employer in Wyoming, supporting more than 33,000 jobs. The visitor economy is the second largest revenue-generating sector in the state, and a vital contributor to Wyoming’s economy.

Like most Wyoming industries, workforce shortages continue to challenge business owners. The Governor has recognized the importance of growing the hospitality industry workforce through initiatives like the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, which helped provide startup funding for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality(WORTH) Institute [ [link removed] ] at the University of Wyoming. In 2023, the outdoor recreation industry generated $2.2 billion, or 4.1 percent, of Wyoming’s GDP (gross domestic product). Since 2012, Wyoming has seen a 4.5 percent increase in annual growth of the outdoor recreation economy.

“The steps we take to keep Wyoming a destination state have, and will continue to pay us back,” Governor Gordon said. “We cannot afford to neglect or vandalize this fundamental and historic leg of our economic security.”

Governor Gordon also presented the BIG WYO Award to Diane Shober, who has served as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism since 2003. The award is given annually to a person who has done an outstanding job in promoting hospitality and tourism in the state of Wyoming.

 

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