PRESIDENT'S REPORT

By Julie Roller Weeks

Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

December 2022. What a year it has been? Tourism continued to rebound, we all gathered again for Destination Statehouse and the Kansas Tourism Conference, our offices navigated this new normal, and now… my favorite time of year - the holiday season.

Please don't forget to be thankful for all that we have. We work in one of the absolute best industries. We get to meet incredible people, generate creative campaigns, celebrate the positives, and make a visible difference in the economic vitality of our communities. There’s no better industry than the tourism industry.

Thank you for another great year, and I look forward to transitioning to the role of Past President in January.

I wish you a very happy holiday season!

Kansas Local Infrastructure Planning Tool Launched

The Kansas Department of Transportation launched a new web-based interactive tool that enables counties to project when roads and bridges need to be replaced, funding needs and revenue options like mill levy.

The Kansas Local Infrastructure Planning Tool (KLIP) was developed in collaboration with the Kansas Association of Counties and the Kansas County Highway Association.

Kansas Main Street Program Seeking New Communities

The Kansas Main Street program announced on November 7 it is seeking new communities to join the program in 2023. On Monday, November 14, the program hosted a virtual application workshop for communities interested in the program.

“My administration rebuilt economic development tools like the Kansas Main Street Program, and it has since been a crucial part of preserving and growing Kansas downtowns,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I encourage more Kansas communities to join this program and strengthen their economy.”

Kansas Main Street provides technical assistance and support for communities working to revitalize their downtown area by focusing on four points — economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization.

Applications for the Kansas Main Street program will open on December 5 and close on February 3, 2023. Applications will be reviewed in February, with new communities announced in March. Read more.

2022 Kansas Tourism Conference Reflection

By Logan Lynn, TIAK Student Scholarship Winner

I first want to say thank you again for choosing me to be the student recipient of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas scholarship. I thoroughly enjoyed my time getting to attend the 2022 Kansas Tourism Conference last month. I am passionate about being a part of organizations that provide opportunities for young professionals and invests in their future, so I am very glad I was able to find this opportunity that TIAK offered!

During the conference, I took over four pages of notes. I enjoyed listening to every speaker and walked away from the conference with so much knowledge that I will be able to use in the future. From all the notes I took, I wanted to break down what my favorite parts from each day were. Read more.

October Lodging Report

TIAK has an agreement with Smith Travel Research (STR) to provide members with statewide reports on hotel occupancy each month. The following data is provided directly from STR:

Monthly and YTD Comparisons

Kansas had 62% property participation and 77% hotel room participation in October.

UPDATED Outlook:

Economic Uncertainty Certain

By Jamie Mageau, Director of Research Products, U.S. Travel Association

October 19, 2022

According to the most recent survey of economists, a recession in the coming months looks increasingly likely. 

Despite tightening monetary policy, high inflation remains persistent, and according to the latest survey, 63% of economists anticipate a recession in the next 12 months, up from 49% in July’s survey. 

• Even worse news: According to Bloomberg economic model projections, a U.S. recession is now effectively certain in the next 12 months. 

Most economists’ forecasts are expecting GDP to contract in the first two quarters of 2023.

While consumer sentiment is trending upward, consumers have been pretty sour throughout 2022. Through the first 10 months of the year, consumer sentiment is lower than any year since the metric was developed in 1961.

• Continued uncertainty related to prices, financial markets and interest rates indicate a bumpy road ahead for consumers. Read more.

The U.S. Travel Association has published its latest Monthly Data Report, exclusively for U.S. Travel members. Here are some highlights from October:

• Travel spending improved considerably in September and is now at its highest mark since the pandemic started at 6% above 2019 levels.

• Now, 32% of American travelers indicate leisure travel will be a high budget priority in the next three months—down from 34% in July. 

• DMO/CVB group room nights contracted in September exceeded 2019 levels for the first time since April.



• Overseas visitation remained stalled in September—down 34% from pre-pandemic levels, and just slightly improved on a YOY basis from July and August.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tourism Huddle

December 14

TIAK Board Meeting

December 8

SAVE THE DATE!

Destination Capitol Hill

April 19-20, 2023

Registration coming soon