The travel and tourism industry should see positive growth during 2013. That’s the projection presented by Michael Gehrisch, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) president and CEO, during the Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau 2012 Annual Meeting. The event was held in Wichita, Kan., Nov. 16.2012.

DMAI projects that hotel average daily rates should grow by 4.6 percent and occupancy rates will reach 63 percent. At the same time, nationwide room tax collections are expected to grow seven percent. Gehrisch stressed that a community’s funding of Destination Marketing Organizations should be seen as an investment that provides a good rate of return to the destination’s economy.

Go WichitaPresident and CEO Susie Berglund Santo also projected moderate growth for the Wichita-area travel and tourism industry. Santo shared research that shows in 2011 visitors contributed nearly $1 billion dollars in retail spending and taxes to the region’s economy.


Pictured here (l-r) Stephen Stewart, Hyatt Regency Wichita general manager and Go Wichita 2012 board chair; Wichita, Kan., Mayor Carl Brewer; Michael Gehrisch, Destination Marketing Association International president and CEO; and Susie Berglund Santo, Go Wichita president and CEO, at the Go Wichita 2012 Annual Meeting. Gehrisch was keynote speaker for the event (credit: Darren Decker/Go Wichita CVB).

Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of marketing the greater Wichita area to leisure travelers, convention business and groups. This work creates a multi-million dollar economic impact each year. Learn more at gowichita.com.