Tourism and travel in Oklahoma contributed $7.1 billion to the state in 2020, according to a report.
As per the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the number of tourists decreased by 17 percent from the previous year, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Oklahoma saw the decrease, nationwide travel fell by 34%.
Oklahoma’s tourism and rec department stated that the average amount tourists spend in the state increased in 2020, rising from $343 per night in 2019 to $434 nightly in 2020.
The department said that 13% of tourists visited the state in 2020 for outdoor recreation compared to 5% in 2019.
Oklahoma State Parks also saw record numbers of visitors.
“Those of us who live here have always known how incredible Oklahoma outdoors are,” said Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell in a report. He is also Oklahoma’s Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage.
“During a time when many felt safer outside, many out-of-state travelers also got a chance to experience that beauty—fishing our lakes, hiking our trails, and scaling our summits.”
