CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Travel and tourism experts in Wyoming have estimated a $1 million loss in lodging tax revenue by the end of next year as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered travel plans across the country.
The Natrona County Travel and Tourism Board was offered the estimate as one of three predictions for the county’s future tourism industry based on previous years data, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.
Brook Kaufman, who leads Visit Casper, the marketing and promotion entity of the board, provided the board a worst, a moderate and a best-case scenario for the next fiscal year.
In the worst-case model, the tourism agency could see a $1 million shortfall with an average hotel occupancy of no more than 40% before May 2021, at least 25% less than is considered for a normal summer, Kaufman said.
In the best-case model, the county would lose $500,000 less.
The community loses millions in lost local spending with nearly every event cancellation, officials said.
Since the first case of COVID-19, state health experts have canceled a variety of events to combat its spread, including the College National Finals Rodeo, state athletic tournaments and several concerts and exhibitions at the Casper Events Center.
“The good news is, when the opportunity is there, tourism in Natrona County is alive and well,” Kaufman said, adding that it is unclear when that will be.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.
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