Statistics from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) show travel and tourism is Oklahoma’s third-largest industry, bringing in more than $6.1 billion in direct travel expenditures to Oklahoma each year. The tourism industry also employs nearly 76,000 Oklahoma residents.
Since 1984, the first full week in May has been annually recognized as National Travel & Tourism Week. This year, National Travel & Tourism Week is May 7-15.
“Tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry,” said Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor and Enid native Todd Lamb. “Our family has experienced numerous ‘stay-cations’ in our state. From Broken Bow to the panhandle, Oklahoma has so much to offer. My family has enjoyed the new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Leonardo’s and Meadowlake Park in northwest Oklahoma.”
According to OTRD, tourism in Garfield County produced $80.68 million in expenditures in 2008 (the latest data available). Enid hotels are a major reason why. In 2010, the STR 5-year Trend Report shows lodging room revenue in Enid hotels in 2010 totaled $11,332,400. Garfield County remains above the national average in occupancy rate. On any given night, Enid hotels are, on average, 57.6 percent occupied, while the national average is 56.2 percent. And the STR report also shows a typical travel party to Enid spends $593.88 during their stay here, $330.28 of this (55.2 percent) is spent on lodging.
Two Enid hotels have been recognized recently for their outstanding efforts. The Ramada Inn at 3005 W. Garriott has received the Ramada Worldwide Best of 2011 Award for being in the top five percent of all Ramada Inns. This is the second year in a row that Enid’s Ramada Inn has earned this prestigious award! (contact Debbie Hamen, GM, at 234-0440). And the Hampton Inn and Suites at 511 Demla Court was named that company’s Wall of Fame First Quarter Award winner as the No. 1 Hampton Inn and Suites in Oklahoma. (contact Emerson Sparks, GM at 234-4600).
The Enid Convention & Visitors Bureau will be promoting Enid during National Travel & Tourism Week. ECVB will have an Enid booth at the Oklahoma Travel Information Center (TIC) near Blackwell on Interstate 35 on Wednesday, May 11, and will showcase Enid in a booth at the Oklahoma Travel Information Center on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City on Friday, May 13. Officials with the Oklahoma City TIC say approximately 400 travelers go through their facility every day, so both Wednesday and Friday will be outstanding opportunities to spread the word about Enid.
In addition, the ECVB is in the final planning stages to open its new Enid Welcome Center. The grand opening celebration will be on Monday, May 23 from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm. It is an opportunity for residents to see and discover where they can bring their out-of-town guests to gather Enid information.
The Enid Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Enid, Okla. For information on how to bring a meeting or convention to town or to find out what’s going on in Enid, go to our website at www.VisitEnid.org, or call our office at (580) 233-ENID (3643).