Experts say Denver tourism took a huge hit with the pandemic, but new data shows numbers are slowly rebounding.
“We are an outdoor city and outdoor state and especially after COVID, and people are attracted to that,” Richard Scharf, President and CEO of VISIT DENVER told CBS4’s Mekialaya White. “I think there’s a great demand with the leisure visitor right now. They want to get out and travel, but there are some headwinds with the economy, inflation and gas prices.
He also believes the worst of the tourism decline is behind us. VISIT DENVER cites the city welcomed 31.7 million visitors in 2021, regaining some of the losses experienced in 2020. Travel spending by all visitors to Denver in 2021 reached $6.6 billion, compared to a record $7 billion spent in 2019. There was also a marked increase in overnight travel. It grew by 27% last year to 14.
“We went to the Zoo, Children’s Museum, and doing some sightseeing at the waterfalls later,” said Shawn Marquez, a North Platte, Nebraska resident. “And I’m sure we’ll be back at some point.”“My friends and I keep meeting every year. It’s a great place, close by the mountains, just nice city life. Every afternoon we are coming here , so we wanted to check out the morning vibe today.”
“First time in Denver,” said Karen Cary, who’s from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “I’ve heard in the South, we have southern hospitality, but everywhere we go here we get ‘hellos.’ I’m enjoying it so far. We are close to retirement age, and we’re looking for where we may spend the rest of our lives.”– Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
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