in Utah's mountains. At least 12 of the state's 15 resorts broke visitation records, Ski Utah officials reported in June.
The new data left Utah's tourism leaders feeling confident after the industry was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.Utah's urban core continues to generate the majority of visitor spending. Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties, combined, accounted for nearly 57% of the money generated last year, according to the institute.
She believes many visitors were surprised to come back to a "totally different" Salt Lake City after the pandemic because of its new airport, buildings and city programming that emerged during the pandemic. It's also close to many outdoor recreation opportunities. But Utah's 25 counties outside of the Wasatch Front are also feeling this type of energy, says Natalie Randall, executive director of the Utah Tourism Industry Association.
What we want the experience to be for everyone is exquisite — a sense of discovery, a sense of magic.That, in turn, helps the rural economy. Although there's more visitor spending along the Wasatch Front, Leaver points out that visitor spending output within the 25 other counties is about three times higher than the Wasatch Front. That means visitor spending has a greater impact on the economy outside the Wasatch Front.
Alex Goodlett sits beside a fire while camping in the Wah Wah Valley, Millard County, on Nov. 12, 2017. Utah is home to many dark sky parks. allow for more unique outdoor experiences during the least busy times of the 24-hour day. Tourism officials say they have also started nudging people to visit parks at different times of day or year instead of the normal rush times or seasons, so people aren't damaging the land or the experience.