Wyoming Office of Tourism

Wyoming Office of Tourism
Agency name	Wyoming Office of Tourism
Jurisdiction	Wyoming
Headquarters	Cheyenne, Wyoming
Parent agency	Wyoming Business Council

Wyoming Office of Tourism The Wyoming Office of Tourism is the state agency responsible for promoting Wyoming as a travel destination. It coordinates marketing for attractions such as Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the Bighorn Mountains, and works with entities including the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and local visitor bureaus to support tourism-related economic activity. The office engages stakeholders like the Wyoming Legislature, the Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails, and private industry groups including the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurants Association.

History

Established to capitalize on visitation to sites such as Devils Tower National Monument, the office traces roots to early state promotional efforts tied to Union Pacific Railroad route marketing and the Lincoln Highway. It expanded during the mid-20th century alongside growth at Yellowstone National Park and the post-war rise of automobile travel on corridors like Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287. Legislative actions in the 1970s and 1990s shaped its mandate, with oversight from lawmakers including members of the Wyoming House of Representatives and the Wyoming Senate. The office’s programs have intersected with federal initiatives such as the National Park Service centennial and regional collaborations like the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials tourism efforts.

Organization and Governance

The office operates under state oversight and interfaces with the Office of the Governor of Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council. Leadership reports to appointed directors and boards that include representatives from the Wyoming Travel Industry, county commissions like the Teton County, Wyoming commission, and municipal entities such as Cheyenne City Council. It manages relationships with federal partners including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. Funding streams involve appropriations approved by the Joint Appropriations Committee and revenue sources influenced by statutes enacted by the Wyoming Legislature.

Marketing and Promotion

Marketing campaigns highlight destinations including Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Cody, Wyoming, Casper, Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, and Sheridan, Wyoming. Promotional channels include digital platforms, print materials distributed at visitor centers such as the Interstate 80 Welcome Center and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum, and cooperative advertising with groups like the National Tour Association and the American Bus Association. Campaigns often tie to events including Cheyenne Frontier Days, the National Folk Festival, and regional festivals in Teton County, Wyoming. International outreach has engaged partners in markets represented by the U.S. Commercial Service and trade shows like the World Travel Market and the International Pow Wow.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs administered or supported include grant programs for local destination marketing organizations, training initiatives partnering with the University of Wyoming, seasonal promotion aligned with outdoor recreation managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service, and heritage tourism tied to sites such as the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site and the Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Initiatives have addressed sustainable recreation in collaboration with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and stewardship projects with the National Park Foundation. The office has participated in crisis response coordination with agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency during events affecting visitation.

Economic Impact and Statistics

Economic analyses conducted or commissioned by the office assess visitor spending, employment, and tax contributions tied to attractions like Yellowstone National Park and industries such as ski resorts including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Reports quantify impacts across counties such as Teton County, Wyoming, Park County, Wyoming, and Natrona County, Wyoming, and feed into policy discussions involving the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division. Data collection leverages surveys, hotel metrics reported to organizations like the STR, Inc. and transportation counts on corridors such as Interstate 25 and U.S. Route 14. Findings inform appropriations by the Wyoming Legislature and strategic planning with the Wyoming Business Council.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The office maintains partnerships with a wide range of public and private entities including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the University of Wyoming, regional tourism associations, chambers of commerce in places like Jackson, Wyoming and Cody, Wyoming, destination marketing organizations, and industry groups such as the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurants Association. It collaborates with national organizations including the U.S. Travel Association, the National Park Foundation, and the American Society of Travel Advisors to coordinate campaigns, research, and advocacy. Cross-border and interstate efforts have involved neighboring state agencies such as Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for multi-state itineraries.

Category:Tourism in Wyoming Category:State agencies of Wyoming