WYOMING — The Wyoming Office of Tourism has shared statewide statistics concerning the economic role played by tourism in the Cowboy State ahead of the office’s celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week.
The 2023 Economic Impact of Travel report noted that tourism is Wyoming’s second largest industry, affecting all 23 counties. Approximately 8.7 million visitors made a trip to Wyoming last year, representing a 13.8% increase over 2022. Those visitors spent $4.8 billion on goods and services provided by Wyoming businesses, up 6.5% over 2022. That expenditure translated to $263 million in sales and use tax funding for local and state governments, up 6.3%.
“The data shows year after year how important travel and tourism is to Wyoming’s economic growth,” Wyoming Office of Tourism Executive Director Diane Shober said in the announcement. “We know the true value of what Wyoming’s wonders offer to visitors and residents is beyond measure and simply must be experienced first hand to understand.”
Also included in the report is data related to earnings and employment, including the statistic that jobs in the “visitor economy” grew by 2.6% last year, now topping 33,000 jobs. Salaries and wages increased by 14.3%, totaling $1.2 billion in earnings, according to the report.
“Wyoming boasts iconic national landmarks, world-class museums and a host of other attractions, providing visitors with endless opportunities for exploration,” the announcement reads. “Travel is a lead contributor to sales and use tax, making it the largest private sector employer in Wyoming and essential to the state’s economic well-being.”
See the full report here.
