According to a press release issued on Monday by the Utah Lake Authority, which commissioned Ernst & Young to conduct the study, the findings indicated that individuals who visited Utah Lake in 2024 spent approximately $74.3 million on trip-related expenses.
This spending generated $9.2 million in state and local tax revenues and supported 823 jobs in Utah County, as reported by the Utah Lake Authority.
For many years, the state’s largest freshwater lake has had a negative reputation for being unclean, leading people to avoid it.
However, in recent years, efforts have been made to change people’s perceptions of Utah Lake. The Utah Lake Authority and other local conservation groups are working to protect and enhance the lake’s ecosystem while educating people about its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
“Utah Lake is an often overlooked asset. However, it makes significant contributions to our economy,” stated ULA Executive Director Luke Peterson in the release.
The study analyzed online surveys, visitor volume counts, and tourism-related spending on lodging, dining, recreation, and retail throughout 2024. The results showed that Utah Lake had 1.1 million visitor-days by non-Utah County residents, including 800,000 who paid for lodging.
Local leaders praised the lake’s role in boosting the economy, supporting businesses, and enhancing the quality of life.
Curtis Blair, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, stated that the lake continues to prove its worth as a powerful economic engine for Utah County.
“Beyond its natural beauty and recreational value, it drives jobs, supports local businesses, and strengthens the county’s economy,” he added.
Blair emphasized that the study underscores the vital role Utah Lake plays in enhancing the quality of life for both visitors and local residents.
Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran expressed satisfaction in seeing data that county leaders have known for years.
“Utah Lake is essential to our community,” he said. “The lake provides ecological, recreational, and economic benefits to both residents and visitors.”
Beltran added that the results from the study are a testament to the work being done by the Utah Lake Authority.
“It’s exciting to see such strong numbers in the early years of the Utah Lake Authority and our partners’ vision,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
— news from heraldextra.com
— News Original —
Utah Lake proves to be an economic asset to Utah Valley, recent study reveals
According to a press release issued Monday by the Utah Lake Authority, which commissioned the study conducted by Ernst & Young, its findings revealed that people who visited Utah Lake in 2024 reportedly spent $74.3 million in trip expenses.
This amount generated $9.2 million in state and local tax revenues and supported 823 jobs in Utah County, according to the Utah Lake Authority.
For decades, the state’s largest freshwater lake has faced a negative reputation for being dirty, and people opted to stay away from it.
However, in recent years, a concerted effort has been underway to change people’s perception of Utah Lake. The Utah Lake Authority and other local conservation groups are working to protect and enhance the lake’s ecosystem while educating people about its natural beauty and opportunities for recreation.
“Utah Lake is an often invisible asset. But in reality, it makes significant contributions to our economy,” ULA Executive Director Luke Peterson said in the release.
The study examined online surveys, visitor volume counts, and tourism-related spending on lodging, dining, recreation and retail throughout 2024. The results showed that Utah Lake had 1.1 million visitor-days by non-Utah County residents, including 800,000 of those who paid for lodging.
Local leaders praised the lake’s role in boosting the economy, supporting businesses and enhancing quality of life.
Curtis Blair, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the lake continues to prove its worth as a powerful economic engine for Utah County.
“Beyond its natural beauty and recreational value, it drives jobs, supports local businesses and strengthens the county’s economy,” he said.
Blair added, “The study underscores the vital role Utah Lake plays in enhancing the quality of life for both visitors and local residents.”
Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran said it’s gratifying to see data that county leaders have known for years.
“Utah Lake is instrumental to our community,” he said. “The lake provides ecological, recreational and economic benefits to both residents and visitors.”
Beltran added that the results from the study are a testament to the work being done by the Utah Lake Authority.
“It’s exciting to see such strong numbers in the early years of the Utah Lake Authority and our partners’ vision,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”