On Tuesday, May 25, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce hosted a Chamber After Hours event at Viandel Vineyard in Mountain View and welcomed the Missouri Director of Tourism Stephen Foutes from Jefferson City to discuss the effects of covid on tourism , the plan to regain momentum this year as well as what can be done locally to promote tourism.
Foutes spoke of the negative impact on travel that was felt across most of the state by lost revenues on the state and local level which totaled $683 million in lost taxes. The loss of tax money was directly affected by the Missouri visitor count falling from the normal 43.5 million visitors to 28.2 Million. Another area of concern was the 130k service industry jobs that were lost as well. In an attempt to stay relevant they continued with campaigns, not to promote travel at that time but rather branding the state to become top of mind for potential travelers throughout the Midwest. This year the Department of Tourism has rolled out their new campaign featuring “MO” an actress from Missouri that will portray different elements and interests that draw people to our great state.
He finished the presentation by highlighting how to promote tourism in our local areas, by working with the Howell County DMO, who receives grants, to highlight all of the natural assets this area has to offer, through the rivers, hiking, camping, and the natural beauty of the area. Foutes also mentioned the opportunity for our local area coming in 2024 when we will be in a prime location for the total eclipse, which brought people from all over the country to the Jefferson City area in 2017.
