GJ Tourism Matters

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Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries and employers; the "GJ Tourism Matters" campaign seeks to reiterate the importance of travel and tourism in and around Grand Junction, Colorado and to establish a sense of pride within the community.

 

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM IN MESA COUNTY:

  • Approximately 1 million visitors to local lodging properties annually
  • Over 3,000 jobs supported by tourism
  • $269 million in direct travel spend annually
  • $8 million in local taxes annually

 Tourism = Jobs + Tax Revenue

 

OTHER GRAND JUNCTION TOURISM FACTS:

  • Top domestic visitors come to Grand Junction from around Colorado (52%), Texas, Arizona, and California
  • Top international visitors come to Grand Junction from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, China, Australia, and the Netherlands
  • 96% of visitors rate their experience in Grand Junction as either Excellent or Very Good! 
  • Top 3 reasons why people visit Grand Junction
    1.  Vacation/Pleasure
    2.  Winery tours
    3.  Outdoor activities
  • What are the top attractions in Grand Junction?
    1.  Downtown, wineries, breweries/distilleries
    2.  Colorado National Monument / Grand Mesa
    3. Parks and Public lands
  • Travel has a positive effect on Grand Junction, Colorado and it also impacts business productivity, economic development, and each individual traveler's well being. 
  • International travel to the United States is the nation's No. 1 services export. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau works with 226 international tour companies annually to bring guests from around the world to Grand Junction
  • Over 15,000 visitors use the Grand Junction Visitor Center annually, representing over 50 foreign countries and the U.S.
  • Over 500,000 people gain valuable travel inspiration by going to visitgrandjunction.com annually
  • Visit Grand Junction has been marketing the area for over 25 years
    1. Supporting hundreds of local events, restaurants and tourism attractions, including 22 wineries
    2. Over 40 lodging properites
    3. Hosting over 150 conventions, events, and groups each year
  • Travel is one of the top three industries in the state of Colorado and is a driving force of economic growth to Grand Junction and surrounding communities

 

* Figures taken from the 2014 Dean Runyan Colorado Travel Impacts Study

 

 

GJ Tourism Matters Videos for Inspiration and Educational Uses

 Tourism Matters: Peter Booth, Museum of Western Colorado 

 Tourism Matters: Naomi Smith, Grande River Vineyards 

 Tourism Matters: Doug & Jamee Simons, Enstrom Candies 

 Tourism Matters: Tom Kleinschnitz, Adventure Bound River Expeditions 

 Tourism Matters: Brunella Gualerzi, il Bistro Italiano 

 Tourism Matters: Rondo Buecheler, Rapid Creek Cycles/Palisade River Trips 

 Tourism Matters: Jim Spehar 

 Tourism Matters: Parker Carlson, Carlson Vineyards 

 Tourism Matters: Phyllis Veale, Grand Vista Hotel