According to an article in the February 2nd edition of “The Insider”, Garfield County has the 3rd highest unemployment rate in Utah, just behind our neighbors in Wayne and San Juan counties – 10.4%. It goes on to explain –
“Garfield County exhibits one of the highest unemployment rates in the state due to the seasonal nature of the tourist economy. Almost 40 percent of Garfield County’s nonfarm employment can be categorized in the leisure/hospitality industry – in vivid contrast to the statewide figure of only 9%.”
In contrast to other Utah counties, the tourist season is barely 6 months of the year. The public perception of Escalante is we’re desert and it’s too hot to visit in July and August. The article states “Governor Herbert has outlined an action plan for 2012”, unfortunately tourism marketing for highways 12 and 24 wasn’t one of them.
Three first steps could be taken by Escalante City Council to start the process of expanding the tourism base to eight months.
- · First, they could create a marketing piece that invites people to “Explore Escalante” year round and spell out what is available to do and when.
- · Second, the state Office of Tourism could promote the 65 fishable lakes of the Dixie National Forest in Escalante’s backyard (we are the second largest city in Garfield County and should get some special attention).
- · Third, The City Economic Development Committee could work with all the major news stations to get Escalante on the weather map and get a weather cam installed at the airport. Cheap year-round access to Escalante that reminds people of the Salt Lake Region we’re here and open for business.
These are baby steps compared to what could be done – but it would be a start. If tourism could be consistent for the entire 8 months instead of on for three months, off for two and on again for two +, retailers could build inventories, for the fall season and build resources to survive the winter months. That would help rehires occur earlier because there would be funds available from the previous season and more retailers would encourage more tourism which could bring a new use to the old sawmill property – but that’s for another time.
