According to the latest Tourism Economics 2024 study*, tourism in Wichita attracts nearly 7 million visitors to Wichita annually and has a $2.6 billion annual impact on the city’s metro area economy, accounting for more than 17,000 jobs. This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) celebrates travel's power to fuel economies and strengthen communities across the United States.
“Our mission at Visit Wichita is to grow the travel and tourism economy of Wichita. Travel is an economic driver for Wichita, fostering a strong local and state economy – to the tune of $1.5 billion in direct visitor spending – and creating jobs. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute to the future,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita.
From May 4 to 10, 2025, Visit Wichita is joining the U.S. Travel Association in raising awareness about tourism's essential role in driving economic growth here and across the country.
Whether visiting Wichita for a getaway or to attend a meeting, convention or sporting event, every tourist dollar fuels positive economic development and supports more than 17,000 Wichita jobs in tourism and hospitality.
“The 6.9 million visitors to Wichita annually generate $210 million in state and local taxes,” said Santo. “That revenue helps fund critical public services while fueling more than 17,000 jobs in our community. If every visitor-supported job was in one place it would fill INTRUST Bank Arena.”
In addition to economic impact, tourism contributes to the quality of life for local residents. The industry supports local businesses and provides a variety of festivals and sporting events such as the recently held 2025 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships and 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds.
Locals play a key role in the success of tourism in Wichita as well. “Whether it is someone working in hospitality welcoming guests, serving food or transporting visitors or a local sharing their love for Wichita, everyone is an important part of tourism in Wichita,” said Santo. “We are excited to celebrate this special week, acknowledging the impact tourism has on our local and state economy. It also provides an opportunity to showing gratitude for the thousands of Wichitans working in the hospitality industry and the locals who help greet visitors and share their excitement about our amazing city.”
Nationwide, travel catalyzes a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.9 trillion economic output in 2024 and supported 15 million jobs, supporting communities, small businesses and working families nationwide. One in every 11 U.S. jobs depend on travel, making it a critical driver of our economy and a force for connection and opportunity**.
"Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in building a stronger, more prosperous America."
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2022 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About U.S. Travel
Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans. Visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.
*Tourism Economics 2024 is an economic impact study recently conducted for Visit Wichita by Tourism Economics, the leader in tourism research.
** Source: Tourism Economics, U.S. Travel Association, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of State
