Travel, tourism summits scheduled for this fall

TULSA — Most Oklahomans don't realize that the state and many of its cities rely heavily on tourism, and many small businesses don't know how to capitalize on the visitors who travel here.

“Tourism is the third-largest industry in our state,” Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell told KRMG Thursday. “We generate over $650 million dollars in state and local tax revenue off tourism.”

Pinnell, who also serves as Secretary of Tourism and Branding, wants to boost the bottom line by increasing tourism in Oklahoma.

The state has begun spending more money to advertise, including a recently-launched campaign in Australia.

But, Pinnell says, the state needs to do more to empower small businesses to take advantage of those tourism dollars.

So he's scheduled a series of summits for this fall to help those business owners.

“Each half-day program provides tourism education, featuring speakers covering a range of topics on best practices to promote tourism in that region, and around the state,” he told KRMG.

He also pointed out that Oklahoma municipalities rely heavily on sales tax revenue.

“Every mayor around the state is looking for ways to increase sales tax revenue,” he said, “and tourism is one of the easiest ways to do that.”