Utah leaders prepare for boost in tourism from the 2034 Winter Olympics
Sep 26, 2024, 6:00 PM | Updated: 7:37 pm
The OIympic rings are displayed before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. (Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — State leaders are already preparing for an expected tourism surge when Utah hosts the Winter Olympics in 2034.
One of the main focuses at the Utah Tourism Conference was the 2034 Olympics and the big steps needed to accommodate them. Their plan includes adding tens of thousands of hotel rooms to northern Utah. There were even talks of possibly expanding the Salt Lake City International Airport.
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Natalie Randall, Managing Director for the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, said one of their biggest goals is to promote tourism in all areas of Utah. Why? When the world comes to Salt Lake City for the Olympics, the entire state of Utah will be on display.
Randall said she understands that not every community happily welcomes crowds of tourists. That’s why they’re working with communities to ensure that added tourism is happening in a way that works for them.
We’re thinking about community-led approaches. We’re ensuring that we’re hearing from the communities and understanding where they are and where they’re prepared to bring in visitors.”
Randall said tourism became a huge industry in Utah after the last Olympics. And she said it will only grow bigger. That’s why she hopes that people all across the state will embrace and welcome visitors.
“The value the visitor economy provides is significant. It’s the reason why, as residents, we enjoy the variety of restaurants, trails, amenities, access to recreation.”
