Staff 1-13, 2016
The hospitality industry in Wyoming is hoping the state legislature will see the benefits of tourism and not cut back on its funding too much. With the mineral industry revenues slipping, the second largest industry in Wyoming is hoping to maintain growth and get even bigger. Chris Brown of the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association says 10.1 million people visited the state in 2014, generating $3.3 billion in traveler spending. That’s $163 million in tax revenue for Wyoming. Brown says continued investment will help generate more revenue.
The downturn in oil production also hurts the lodging industry, Brown says, because energy workers were filling up hotels.
