October 22, 2007
Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
This week I had the opportunity to visit with promoters of Nebraska’s tourism industry during the annual Nebraska Travel Conference. I was in Columbus to present awards to a number of Nebraska tourism associations, as well as individual representatives of attractions and special events held throughout our state over the last year.
Our tourism industry has grown in recent years. The conference provided an opportunity for those with the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism to share some of the successes.
Tourism is the third leading industry in our state, which means that it plays an increasingly important role in shaping our economy – both at the state and local levels.
According to the Division of Travel and Tourism, travelers from both within our state and from other states made more than 19 million trips around Nebraska during the last year. This is an impressive number of travelers enjoying our state. What makes it even better for our state is the fact that all those trips are resulting in additional revenue for communities all across Nebraska.
In fact, spending by travelers has nearly doubled since 1990, reaching nearly $3.3 billion in 2006. Our efforts to promote Nebraska as a destination for families and those looking to experience something new are having an impact.
One of the biggest growth areas for tourism are opportunities for visitors to get out and explore everything - from landmarks and small town festivals, to natural resources like scenic waterways and trails, or to visit some of the countless examples of people making a living off the land.
There are many opportunities for anyone wanting to experience the natural beauty of our state. Nebraska has outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing or canoeing down a favorite river, hiking through one of the 87 state park areas, or witnessing the annual migration of thousands of sandhill cranes.
When it comes to tourism, one of the biggest economic growths is in an area that combines two of Nebraska’s largest industries, tourism and agriculture. We are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the growing interest in experiencing life on farm or ranch, seeing what it takes to produce food long before it ever reaches the local grocery store, and touring any number of small towns that feature the work of local craftsmen and artists.
Whether it’s visits to a guest ranch, a bed and breakfast set in a historic home, or sampling the products of more than 20 local vineyards, there is so much that we have to offer.
In addition to the wide array of attractions and recreationa opportunities, Nebraska is a great place to visit because of our reputation for having a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. I continue to believe that the people of this state are our greatest resources. This is what keeps visitors coming back.
This year the Division of Travel and Tourism launched a new Web site with plenty of information to help plan a getaway in Nebraska, including a searchable list of things to see and experience every region of our state. For those who haven’t experienced some of the many possibilities our state has to offer recently, I invite you to log onto www.visitNebraska.org to see what’s there. The Web site is one of the many tools helping encourage more people to explore Nebraska’s endless possibilities.
