The State of Oklahoma mentioned 2021 was a report breaking yr for tourism, bringing in additional than $10 billion to native economies.
The state mentioned nearly all of vacationers got here from outdoors of Oklahoma, accounting for 55 % of the state’s complete guests all year long.
Across Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and each small city from McCurtain County to the panhandle, the State of Oklahoma mentioned tourism drove a whole lot of spending in 2021.
“2021 was the best year on state record when it comes to tourism revenue,” Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell said.
While visiting the Redfork Depot event center on Route 66 in Tulsa on Friday, Pinnell emphasized what he thinks brought tourists to Tulsa.
“All the funding that this metropolis has made in themselves. Obviously the Gathering Place, and from Woody Guthrie, to Bob Dylan Center, now. And these state parks which might be solely 30, 45 minutes as effectively. We love what’s taking place at Turkey Mountain,” he mentioned.
The state mentioned the outside had a big effect on tourism in 2021, with guests reportedly spending greater than $350 million within the communities round state parks.
“There was a few bright spots out of a very dark time in world history with the global pandemic, and one of those was people getting outdoors more,” Pinnell said.
Going into 2023, Pinnell looks forward to the state investing in the newly formed Route 66 Commission, designed to preserve and develop the historic highway.
Pinnell said $6 million will be invested in just a few months, with an additional $6 million each year for the next three years, all designed to prop up Route 66 before the centennial in 2026.
“Cities will be capable of fill out grant paperwork,” Pinnell mentioned. “They’ll be capable of go earlier than this board, with initiatives that they’ve on Route 66.”
Just final week we heard from Catoosa metropolis leaders, who plan to use for that grant cash for use for enhancements to the Blue Whale.
submit credit score to Source link