Report says tourism impact on state increased in 2008

The latest survey says the impact of tourism dollars on the state moved up to $6.4 billion in 2008. Iowa Tourism Office Manager, Nancy Landess, released the latest numbers at the annual tourism conference being held this year in Tama. Landess says they saw a 2.2% increase in the tourism impact in 2008 over 2007.

She says that’s “very encouraging” because of the impact of the a harsh winter, high gas prices, the floods in 2008, and the economy in general.

Landess says things like “staycations” are more popular now. Landess says it’s a trend for people to stay closer to home and see attractions in their state.

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