The tourism industry in Utah is a force to be reckoned with and professionals in the
industry from around the state are in Uintah County today for the final day of the 2022
Utah Tourism Conference. As would be expected from folks in the hospitality field, the
Uintah Conference Center has been a hub this week of excellent food, trendy souvenir
booths, entertainment breaks with musical guests, podcasters recording live in the lobby,
and high profile speakers. Attendees rose to their feet to greet Governor Spencer Cox as
the Thursday afternoon speaker. “Our state is incredibly diverse,” shared Cox.
“Sometimes we think of tourism as just national parks and ski resorts but it is so much
more than that.” Cox acknowledged Uintah County Travel and Tourism Director Lesha
Coltharp for her excellent work and example in organizing the conference they were all
there enjoying. In 2020, travelers spent $10.6 billion dollars in Utah and while he noted
that the market is softening, Cox encouraged all to continue working together to share
Utah with the world. Before wrapping up, Governor Cox invited Matthew Watson and
Sydney Migliori up to the stage for a young, fresh take on tourism. Matthew is an SUU
student studying Hotel and Hospitality Management and Sydney is fresh out of high
school and working for the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce. She completed the
hospitality and tourism technical education program while attending Uintah High School
and Cox emphasized the value of pathway programs like this in building the industry’s
future. After leaving the Conference Center, the Governor and his team made time to visit
Uintah High School where he spoke to several groups about building people up and
appreciating all kinds of people, including those with different viewpoints. He also urged
students to download the SafeUT app and told them they are all needed and to get help
and support anytime it’s needed. The Governor’s stop was part of his ‘Utah 360’
statewide tour.
