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Iowa tourism revenue hits record high, but workforce and sustainability challenges persist


Published on 2024-11-29 21:00:40 - Bill Williamson, WOPRAI
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  • Iowa's tourism industry reached a milestone in 2023, with visitor spending surpassing $7.3 billion
  • a 5.1% increase from 2022, according to the state's economic

Iowa's tourism industry has reached a record high with $9.4 billion in revenue in 2022, surpassing pre-COVID levels and marking a significant recovery from the economic impacts of the global health crisis. Despite this success, the sector faces ongoing challenges, particularly in workforce shortages and sustainability. The Iowa Tourism Office highlighted that while visitor spending has increased, the industry struggles with staffing, with many businesses unable to operate at full capacity due to labor constraints. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism practices to ensure the long-term health of Iowa's natural and cultural attractions. Efforts are being made to address these issues through workforce development programs and initiatives aimed at promoting eco-friendly tourism.

Read the Full cbs2iowa.com Article at:
[ https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/iowa-tourism-revenue-hits-record-high-but-workforce-and-sustainability-challenges-persist ]
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