GAS PRICES WON’T DAMPEN WYOMING’S TOURISM DRAW

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Record high gas prices don’t appear to be getting in the way of those interested in visiting Wyoming this year, Wyoming Tourism Department Director Diane Shober told Gov. Dave Freudenthal today.

During the signing of a proclamation declaring May 10-18 as “National Tourism Week in Wyoming,” Shober said she’s still optimistic about this year, despite the prices at the pumps.

“Even though things might seem kind of tentative for the summer, we’re still hearing really positive comments for reservations and inquiries into our office," Shober said. "We’ll just keep our ear to the ground and hopefully keep things on track so we can have a really respectable summer season.”

Tourism is Wyoming’s second largest industry and employs almost 30,000 people in both full- and part-time positions that account for $624 million in earnings, Shober said.

Last year, more than 7.3 million overnight stays in Wyoming generated $2.5 billion in revenue, she added. More than 80 percent of visitors to Wyoming tourism sites are non-residents.

The Governor said he continues to be interested in expanding Wyoming’s tourism marketing overseas - particularly to China where he and First Lady Nancy Freudenthal recently visited.

Freudenthal said he was impressed by the burgeoning middle class there, which is expected to grow to 300 million people in the next two decades. A new agreement between China and the U.S. makes this nation a designated tourist destination for Chinese travelers.

“It seems to me that, particularly due to the devaluation of the dollar, that we are a pretty good buy,” Freudenthal said.   


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