Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board Releases Annual Report for FY23
The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board's Annual Report provides lodging tax data and organization impacts from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Tourism to Teton County not only provides over $1 million in tax revenue and over $1 billion in local spending, it also provides diversity, community infrastructure, and world-class programs and events.
Teton County, WY, collects a 5% state-wide lodging tax that supports visitor management and education, commmunity safety, transportation, and more. Between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, tourism to the region generated over $1.7 billion to our economy and supplied over 7,890 jobs.
Together with businesses, government agencies, and the community, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board is creating a sustainable place to live, play, and visit.
Words from Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board Chair, FY23:
Nestled beneath the shadow of the Tetons, Jackson Hole has always been celebrated for its beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities that attract visitors from around the world. Recent years have witnessed a surge in tourism, bringing opportunities and challenges to our valley. As stewards of these lands and this community, our seven-member volunteer Board strives to use the power of travel and tourism to enhance the lives of our residents while safeguarding the natural wonders that draw visitors to our doorstep.
As evidenced in these pages, tourism is the backbone of our local economy. The revenue it generates supports our infrastructure, local businesses, and essential services for our residents. In FY23, spanning July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, tourism to Teton County generated $1.7 billion in revenue, $10 million in lodging tax funds, and 7,890 tourism-related jobs.
Thanks to these lodging tax funds, FY23 was a milestone year for the JHTTB. To streamline the travel planning and booking process for visitors, the JHTTB worked with local marketing agency TMBR and 35 local writers and photographers to revamp VisitJacksonHole.com and create Industry.VisitJacksonHole.com, destinationwide platforms that serve incoming travelers and local tourism industry professionals. The JHTTB allocated $1.6 million to local events and over $1 million to local partners who enhanced the visitor experience while instilling respectful stewardship and protecting the natural environment. In addition, with support from the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s new Destination Development Program, the JHTTB demonstrated continued commitment to a healthy and sustainable destination by dedicating $600,000 to Wyoming agencies, which will support visitor management and transportation needs in Teton County.
When the JHTTB was initially established in 2011, its primary function was to promote travel and tourism and support a more sustainable year-round economy. As we’ve seen an increase in visitation and a need to address the resulting concerns of our community, in January 2022 the JHTTB began a collaboration with the George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies along with Confluence Sustainability to develop a comprehensive road map for destination stewardship within Teton County. The culmination of this resident-driven journey, the Teton County Sustainable Destination Management Plan (SDMP), was officially adopted by the JHTTB in January 2023. The SDMP stands as a testament to our dedication to prioritizing the health and well-being of our community, strengthening our economy, enhancing the preservation of our environment, and judicious growth management.
To further facilitate the implementation of the SDMP and to foster an environment of shared responsibility for tourism management, a Destination Stewardship Council was formed in February 2023. This council comprises industry leaders and engaged citizens who have assumed the role of an interim advisory body tasked with furthering progress on SDMP priority actions and goals. We know we must balance the aspirations and needs of community members, businesses, and visitors with the protection of the public lands that are core to the county’s heritage, culture, and economy.
In this FY23 annual report, you’ll find data and reporting on how the JHTTB, together with our partners, is working to ensure Jackson Hole remains as welcoming, and as wild, as ever.
Regards,
Erik Dombroski, FY23 JHTTB Board Chair