By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
As Kansas will take part in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week
beginning May 1, Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau
Director Christina Hayes reemphasized the importance tourism plays for
communities both big and small.
"In 2020, the tourism industry in Kansas generated 31.4 million visitors to Kansas which was $5.4 billion spent in the state," said Hayes. "Also, 16 cents of each visitor dollar was spent in a Kansas retail store."
Baseball and softball tournaments are about to fill the Great Bend Sports
Complex for the remainder of spring and summer; and with that, brings a big
economic boost to the town.
Hayes gave an example of a basketball team coming to play in a three-day tournament in a community. With an average of 15 players, two coaches and 37 attendees, the total direct spending in your community for one team is $8,700. That includes hotel rooms, meals, shopping, snacks and gas.
Hayes thanked the Great Bend City Council this week for
supporting the CVB in promoting the town.
"Tourism is extremely important," said Hayes. "Thank you for supporting both my departments, the tourism and retail sides. I'm excited to see what's next for our community."
Another impact example from Kansas Tourism stated a family of four from another
state taking a three-day trip to a Kansas community will spend an average of
$854 in the community.
