Fall Forum panel discussion. (L-R) Tom Kelly, Moderator, Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley, Deirdra Walsh, Vice President and COO of Park City Mountain, Nathan Rafferty, President and CEO of Ski Utah, Gareth Trayner, General Manager at Woodward Park City, Calum Clark, COO of Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — Last week, resort executives, residents, and a local Olympian gathered to discuss economic growth, winter marketing plans and more.

The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau shared highlights following the 2023 Tourism Fall Forum. The event highlighted critical economic and visitation data for the town and businesses to kick off the upcoming winter season. The event also included updates from resort, tourism, and recreation partners like Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, Woodward Park City, Ski Utah, and the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. Residents and members of the local business community gathered at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City on Thursday, Nov. 16, to gain insights into current economic conditions and winter forecasts for the town and its businesses, including an economic overview, winter marketing highlights, and an athlete fireside chat to celebrate community culture and what’s ahead in the coming months and New Year.

“Tourism Fall Forum is such an important annual event, bringing our community together before the start of each ski season to share relevant information, express camaraderie, and build momentum,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, President & CEO of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “It is at once a celebration and a time to share our economic aspirations for this important season, as we once again welcome the world to ‘Winter’s Favorite Town.’”

Top 2023 Tourism Fall Forum key takeaways include:

Travel: Nearly 55% of people surveyed say inflation will impact their decision to travel in the next six months. The Park City Chamber is poised to not only keep Park City top of mind as a winter destination but also has a robust in-market guest education campaign ready to help better manage the impacts of tourism on the community
Occupancy: Occupancy is trending slower over the Christmas Holiday due to the timing of school holiday breaks, which also drives a significant uptick in occupancy YOY for the first week in January. Overall occupancy and ADR are trending positive for the upcoming season
Tax & Investment: Summit County Tax collections through October 2023 have been strong, with Restaurant Tax up 8%, Sales Tax up 4%, and RAP Tax up 5% through October 31st. The Rocky Mountain Region leads in capital investment for its resorts at $33.37 per skier visit in 2022/2023

“Each year, the Tourism Fall Forum kicks off the upcoming winter season for attendees by discussing key factors that impact the season’s success and celebrating our community’s rich mountain culture,” said Tom Kelly, 2023 Tourism Fall Forum Moderator and Olympic Sport Communications Professional. “This year’s panel not only allowed attendees to engage in meaningful, productive conversations but showcased the innovative vision of the panelists that took the stage.”

The Tourism Fall Forum is one of three key annual events hosted by the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. The Wasatch Back Economic Summit is hosted in the spring, and the Annual Meeting is hosted at the end of the summer. To stay updated on the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, subscribe to their newsletter here. For additional information on the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, visit visitparkcity.com.