Tourism in Kansas is taking center stage at the Travel Industry Association of Kansas conference in Junction City this week.  More than 200 people in the tourism industry are in attendance at the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center.

The Interim Director of Kansas Wildlife Parks & Tourism, Linda Craighead, said tourism is a thriving business in this state. “It’s am $11 billion industry. We have had year over year growth for the last eight years. It’s made up of a team of people that are just so passionate about our state.”

The Director of the Geary County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Michelle Stimatze, noted that Colonel Curtis D. Taylor was among the speakers. “He stressed the importance of tourism out at Fort Riley and the things that they offer, things that people can come and visit.” Stimatze pointed to Taylor’s comments on the renovation of the two museums on post, and the fact that they will reopen in 2020. She stated,  “Some of the group was not even aware of what we had in our back yard.”

State Representative Dave Baker noted tourism is an important part of marketing. “And one of the weakest spots we have in the state of Kansas is marketing. We’ve taken pretty much all the money out of marketing, and we need to recommit to marketing so we can attract more people and help share the assets of the state of Kansas with the rest of the country.”

The convention began Monday and wraps up on Wednesday.