ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Tourism in the STL region draws millions of visitors every year, generating more than $4.6 billion in economic impact.
But the visitor economy in the area has lagged for several years relative to the city’s size, according to Explore STL, the organization that markets the region for tourism and manages the America’s Center Convention Complex.
In this First Alert Forward segment, Nathan Vickers sits down with Brad Dean, the president and CEO of Explore STL, to talk about new ways of showcasing the region, and new markets for advertising the city.
According to Dean, simply bringing the region’s tourism up to the national average for the city’s size could generate more than $200 million in sales tax revenue to the region. But increasing that visitorship means ensuring good experiences for visitors, and countering national narratives about crime and other issues in the city.
For Dean, part of the equation is also about showcasing the region’s history, culture, art, music and many unique neighborhoods and communities.
You can watch the interview in the embedded video clip.
The Forward team also wants to hear your ideas for showcasing St. Louis. How would you market the region? Email Forward@FirstAlert4.com
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