JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri tourism officials are optimistic about the summer travel season in the Show-Me State despite a challenging economy.
As the U.S. Travel Association celebrates its 26th Annual National Tourism Week May 9-17, the Missouri Division of Tourism is promoting the state through an advertising campaign titled, “Stay Close,” and leveraging an improved Web site and e-marketing campaign to encourage travelers in the heartland to “stay close” to friends and family while traveling in Missouri—which is within easy driving distance for the nearly one in six Americans who live in Missouri and the contiguous states.
“Tourism is big business in Missouri,” said Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who serves as chair of the Missouri Tourism Commission. “Last year, Missouri visitors generated $425 million in tax revenues, helping to fund other state programs at a time when they are sorely needed.”
“Missouri offers outstanding value for the money and we are an easy-to-get-to destination,” adds R.B. “Bob” Smith III, interim director, Missouri Division of Tourism. “People may be cutting back on expenses, but research indicates that few will forego a vacation with family, and we remain optimistic about this year’s summer travel season.”
More than 39 million people visited Missouri in 2008, contributing $10.1 billion to the state’s economy, according to a report from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association (formerly the Travel Industry Association of America) and designated by President Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Congress in 1984, National Tourism Week highlights the contributions of the travel and tourism industry—one of the country’s largest employers—to the United States and to regional economies. National Tourism Week encourages Americans to support the tourism industry through domestic travel. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.
For more information about tourism in Missouri or to get a copy of your free 2009 Official Missouri Vacation Planner, log on to www.VisitMO.com. or call 800-519-4800. |