Utah tourism industry bouncing back from pandemic setbacks

By K. SOPHIE WILL
The Spectrum

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — As the world nears its third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is at least one industry that is bouncing back — Utah travel and tourism. The Spectrum reports it’s one of the most profitable industries in the state, contributing $7.07 billion to the economy and supporting thousands of jobs last year. A new report released by the Kem C. Gardener Policy Institute at the University of Utah says that Utah saw more visitor spending and more in-person trips compared to the rest of the U.S. as people ventured away from cities and toward outdoor destinations like the state’s five national parks.