This data set contains Utah tourism information from 1983-2014 as reported by the Economic Report to the Governor.

The relationship between climate and visitation to managed natural areas has been analyzed at a variety of different spatial scales. We expand upon our existing knowledge on this topic by: (1) determining how a wide range of climate variables affect visitation across a regional tourism system; and (2) identifying which variables affect visitation system-wide and which variables only affect visitation at specific parks. Our analysis focuses on five national parks located in southern Utah (USA) commonly referred to as ‘the Mighty 5’. We found monthly average daily maximum temperatures were the best predictor of system-wide visitation, suggesting average daily maximum temperatures play a more direct role in tourists’ travel decisions relative to other climate variables, including other derivations of temperature. We also found declines in monthly park visitation for three parks (Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef) once average daily maximum temperatures exceed 25 C. For Bryce Canyon and Zion however, monthly visitation continued to increase well above this threshold. The geophysical characteristics of these parks appear to mediate the relationship between average daily maximum temperature and visitation. The commonly found ‘inverted U-shape’ relationship between temperature and visitation should not be seen as a universal maxim. We also found precipitation to be a poor predictor of system-wide visitation, but a significant factor shaping the travel decisions of visitors to Bryce Canyon, the only park to offer snow-based outdoor recreation opportunities. Future research should not disregard the possibility of precipitation being a significant factor shaping visitors’ travel decisions. By conducting our analyses at two distinct scales, we have found there is a difference between the individual climate variables that are regionally-significant drivers of visitation and those that are locally-significant drivers of visitation. Scale matters in analyses of the relationship between climate and visitation.

Comprehensive dataset of 92 Tourist information centers in Utah, United States as of June, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

Comprehensive dataset of 2 State Department of Tourisms in Utah, United States as of July, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

Climate change is a threat to ski resorts, the ski industry, and mountain communities that rely on ski tourism. Ski resorts may be able to mitigate some of the social and economic impacts caused by climate change with proactive adaptation strategies. Using historical weather data, future climate projections, and interviews with ski resort managers in Utah (USA), this research investigates the effects of climate change on ski resorts across the state. We examine past temperature change at all resorts from 1980 – 2018, and climate projections from 2021 – 2100 under different climate change scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). Semi-structured interviews with resort managers also provide insights into how resort leadership perceives the impacts of climate change, are implementing adaptation strategies, and are addressing barriers to adaptation. Many resorts in Utah are warming faster than global averages, and minimum temperatures are rising faster than maximum temperatures. By the end of the century, winter (December – March) minimum daily temperatures in Utah could warm an additional 6.0°C under the RCP 8.5 scenario near Northern Utah resorts, and 6.6°C near Southern Utah resorts. Resort managers are concerned about shorter season lengths, shifting ski seasons, less snow cover, and poorer snow quality. Many resorts are already adapting, with the most common adaptations being snowmaking and diversifying outdoor recreation offerings (particularly during the summer and shoulder seasons). Barriers to adaptation reported by managers include financial costs, adequate water availability for snowmaking, and uncertainty about climate change projections. Climate change is already impacting Utah ski resorts, but adaptation practices can reduce the negative impacts to some degree at most resorts.

The number of visitors to Zion National Park, located in Utah in the United States, fluctuated in recent years. In 2023, the park saw a decrease in the number of visitors with under 4.65 million visitors, compared to the 4.69 million visitors welcomed in 2022. Zion National Park Zion NP is a park in the desert of Utah that boasts a variety of plants and animals as well as archaeological sites. Many visitors to the park engage in hiking, climbing, and camping within the park. In 2021, Zion National Park was among the top 3 most visited parks in the United States. The U.S. national parks are hugely popular and there has been a general growth in attendance since 2008. Outdoor Recreation in the U.S. As of 2021, some of the most popular outdoor activities among U.S. residents include running, fishing, biking, hiking, and camping, to name a few. Among campers in North America, fishing was the second most popular recreational activity. Overall, approximately 52.4 million people participated in recreational fishing in the U.S. in 2021.

The collaborative development of scientific and practical knowledge is fostered through processes which allow scientists and stakeholders to work together toward common interests and goals. The purpose of this community case study is to document a process by which big data characterizing the volume and spatial distribution of outdoor recreation and tourism behavior can be used to initiate collaborative discussions amongst the diverse stakeholders involved in outdoor recreation and tourism management. The process we document involves engaging a diverse group of stakeholders including public land managers, county and city government officials, and local business owners, in participatory workshops centered around visualizations of geotagged social media. We document how three workshops with outdoor recreation and tourism providers in Utah (USA) aided in the development of a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with meeting the growing demand for outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities.