Crook County Tourism industry reports growth in 2018

Travelers spent $33.8 million in Crook County during the 2018 visitor season, says a report released by Dean Runyan and Associates in partnership with the Wyoming Travel Industry Coalition.

“That’s up from $19 million in 2004,” says Steve Lenz, chair of the Crook County Promotion Board, which manages the four percent lodging tax collected on overnight stays within Crook County.

“The lodging tax is paid by overnight guests in our communities and then invested by the Crook County Promotion Board to help area businesses, attractions and our local economy.”

“According to the report,” says Lenz, “tourism spending in 2018 was $31.9 million. Crook County tourism again saw growth this past year. That growth directly benefits hotels, motels, restaurants, convenience stores and all of us who make a living here in Crook County.” Statewide, the travel industry generated $188 million in tax revenue, not including property taxes. In the absence of that economic activity, says the report, Wyomingites would have had to pay $804 per household in state taxes to maintain the current level of state-based services.

“Travel spending by all domestic and international visitors in Wyoming was approximately $3.6 billion in 2018,” says the report. “This is equivalent to $9.5 million dollars per day.”

Travel spending in the state has increased 3.4 percent per year since 2007.

During 2018, travel spending in Wyoming directly supported 32,120 jobs with earnings of nearly $923 million. Travel spending generated the greatest number of jobs in accommodations, recreation, and food service industries.

Travelers, in the report, are defined as those who visit the area and stay overnight or drive more than 50 miles to visit Crook County. It includes those traveling for business and leisure.