About

About The Missouri Division of Tourism

We showcase Missouri experiences through compelling storytelling to inspire travel, support healthy communities and strengthen our economy.

Through a paid advertising program, the Division promotes Missouri experiences, thereby creating a positive image of the Show-Me State and increasing visitation and length of stay. Much of the Division’s work is designed to meet changing trends in the travel/tourism industry.

Research projects are conducted on a continuous basis to determine the size, growth and needs of Missouri’s travel industry. National research firms assist the Division in assessing the effect of travel spending on the state’s economy, tax revenue generated by travel spending and employment created by tourism.

Missouri Tourism Industry

Tourism works for the state of Missouri. That’s the quick way of saying the tourism industry provides more than 304,000 tourism-related jobs, generates nearly $18 billion in tourism-related spending and contributes to the overall economic health of Missouri.

Travel promotion efforts in Missouri are led by the Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) and are aimed at showcasing the variety of tourism assets found in the Show-Me State. MDT is a research-based organization; the division’s ultimate goal is to grow market share by drawing more visitors and the spending and tax revenue they generate to and within Missouri.

Tourism Footprint

Spending by visitors generates sales in lodging, food services, recreation, amusement parks, airlines, vehicle-rental companies, gas stations and retail businesses – all of which are a part of the collective “travel industry.” These sales support jobs for Missouri residents and contribute tax revenue to local and state governments.

The tourism footprint in Missouri is broad, as the industry is composed of a diverse group of businesses found in every county. The money visitors spend while traveling in the Show-Me State produces business receipts at these businesses, in turn employing Missouri residents and paying their wages and salaries. State and local government units benefit from travel as well.