Governor Signs Proclamation for National Tourism Week in Wyoming
Governor Dave Freudenthal signed a proclamation at 7 p.m. on April 16 during the Big WYO Banquet at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism. The conference is held each year at the Parkway Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Casper. The Governor is designating May 12-20, 2007 as National Tourism Week in Wyoming. The Governor is authorizing and requesting that communities across Wyoming observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in recognition of tourism as Wyoming’s second largest industry.
This year’s theme is “Tourism: Wyoming’s Front Door.”
“Tourism is Wyoming’s second largest industry, only surpassed by the oil, gas and minerals industry,” according to Diane Shober, Director of Wyoming Travel and Tourism. “Tourism impacts every person in Wyoming and contributes $90 million annually in state and local tax revenues,” she added.
Tourism contributes $2.2 billion annually to Wyoming’s economy from approximately 6.9 million travelers. The travel industry also provides 28,620 jobs in Wyoming generating an annual payroll of $559 million.
“According to Leslie Kedelty, Wyoming Tourism Industry Services Manager and tourism week coordinator, “This year’s tourism week activities will include an electronic toolkit that communities can use in planning their local activities and an open house at the Cheyenne Welcome Center on May 16, 2007. We will also be giving away promotional items throughout the week to our visitors as a “thank you” for choosing Wyoming as their travel destination.”
TOURISM FUN FACTS
Did You Know? Wyoming’s nickname is the Equality State because it was the first state to grant women the right to vote?
Did You Know? Wyoming’s population in only 500,000 with a land mass of 98,000 square miles equaling 5 people per square mile?
Did You Know? There is only one area code for the entire state (307)?
Did You Know? The states of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia would all fit inside Wyoming's borders?
Did You Know? For many Grateful Dead standards, John Perry Barlow, maintains a residence in Sublette County, Wyoming and was born in Jackson Hole?
Did You Know? Yellowstone was the first official National Park?
Did You Know? Old Faithful, in Yellowstone National Park, is America's most famous geyser. It shoots water into the air every 76 minutes?
Did You Know? Devil's Tower was designated the country's first national monument in 1906. It is a sacred site of worship for many Plains Indians.
Did You Know? The world's largest rodeo and western celebration, Frontier Days, is held in Cheyenne every July. Established in 1897, it is the oldest rodeo in the U.S.
Did You Know? Cody, Wyoming is named after William "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
