Travel and Tourism discusses mineral water benefits

At the Travel and Tourism Board meeting on February 17, treasurer Matt Hughes presented the financial report. He said that all COVID money has been spent and the report is strictly non-COVID-related expenses. For the past month, they spent $19,420 and had an income of $8,409.30. This was down 24% from last year in the same month, but still in the average ballpark historically. Also, there is currently $62,543 remaining in carryover funds. 

Director Jackie Dorothy gave her report and said they would have a photoshoot on February 18 with an ambassador from Herman Global. They will take photos of the Boysen State Park area, the Hot Springs State Park, the pools and Legend Rock. Dorothy commented that Hot Springs Travel and Tourism is adopting the Boysen State Park area as their own because Fremont County is not advertising in their tourism at Boysen and that they have the Wind River Range and Sinks Canyon to feature. 

Dorothy also suggested that they consider having banner ads on their website and can earn non-lodging tax revenue from it. That money can potentially go into a foundation fund or special account. She said, “We would then pay for items such as alcohol for travel writers or anything else outside our budget. We can also charge for ads in future magazines. I can create a proposal for ads, such cost and commission if this would be a direction the board would like to go.”

Dorothy delivered magazines and gator masks around town and to several hotels: Round Top, Rainbow, Days Inn, Plaza, Quality Inn, Fountain of Youth and Paintbrush. She noted that they have new owners at Round Top and the Paintbrush hotels.

Dorothy met with Hot Springs County Airport Manager Nathan Messenger recently. They found that the number of luxury charter planes carrying in fisherman had increased last year. The majority appear to be staying at Calhoun’s place in the canyon or other house rentals. Messenger has opened a small car rental service with two vehicles that have been a big hit with visitors. Dorothy said they will be adding transportation to our new website and emphasizing the private airport, car rental and three commercial airports: Cody, Riverton and Casper.

The Riverton Airport has an opportunity for them to display advertising posters on their wall and museum artifacts. Dorothy and Rachel Moon are planning a meeting with Airport Manager Kyle Butterfield and a presentation to their Airport Board.

The Cody Airport has an opportunity to purchase signage at their baggage claim for $150/month. There is space available and we provide the sign through their local print shop. The board voted and passed a motion to spend up to $500 for a sign at the Cody Airport for a one-year term.

Dorothy informed the board that there is a need for a river map because floaters and fishermen are relying on handwritten notes and maps to know where they are allowed to get onto the shore or an easement versus getting into trouble with private land ranch property owners.

Chairman Carl Leyba said he spoke with Lee Campbell and there is a company in Montana that specializes in these maps. There is also a need for trail maps. The board decided to research this opportunity more and revisit it next month. 

Dorothy updated the board on their state park cameras as they are working with Range to have free internet and streaming for them. Dorothy said things are progressing well.

Another item she mentioned is the possibility to pursue having a digital sign to put up that displays announcements for the community.

Leyba said that in the past the open lot at the stoplight where the Dinosaur Center has their sculpture and displays was once considered a place to put the sign. Another location Leyba said would possibly be the city’s flower beds at the stoplight intersection.

According to Leyba, the Tourism board could not own the sign and they would need a sponsor, either a private person or business or a non-profit organization. 

The board then presented a plaque to Bob Spain in recognition of his service to the board.

Hot Springs State Park Supervisor Kevin Skates presented an update on the mineral hot springs testing to determine if our waters can kill the COVID virus.

The board was in agreement that if there could be medical scientific proof that the hot spring’s mineral water can effectively kill COVID and other viruses, it would be a huge draw for increased tourism. The health and wellness aspect would benefit the community.

The Wyoming Office of Tourism nor the State Parks are interested in spending tax dollars to investigate this issue.

The Hot Springs Tourism board is considering whether they should spend the money themselves. The main item they need to investigate is who is to perform the testing and what specific questions they need to ask in the research. An item of clarity is does the COVID virus already exist in the hot waters versus if the COVID virus is injected into the mineral water, does it kill it?

There is a geologist company that can test for $9,000 but the board felt that an engineering company wouldn’t be the right entity to test it, it would need to be medical. The board decided to table the issue and revisit it the next month. In that time they will try to determine the exact questions they want to find answers to in the test.

Consultant Darren Rudloff was present via Zoom and provided a sample of language for the boards’ investment policy.

Audra Dominguez was present as well to present to the board information about the Wyoming Discovery Days event for this summer. They are planning a large event with food trucks, music, folk and fine art and activities for families. Dominguez’s vision is to increase and do more with events and spread the awareness of it throughout and beyond the region. One notable musician they have booked is Jalan Crossland from Ten Sleep who will headline one of the events. 

Board member Bob Roos brought up the need to educate, inform and inspire the local community about what they were doing as a tourism board and to help motivate locals. He said that they worked hard spending money outside the region but also needed to address their vision locally.

One suggestion was brought up was to have businesses display a small video kiosk that would play video loops of the productions the board has recently made. Another suggestion was to have an open house event where the tourism board can invite the community to view all the video productions that show off the county. Dorothy said she is in talks with the Chamber of Commerce Director Meri Ann Rush to find the right time to hold this event depending upon COVID health orders. Chairman Leyba then asked for a motion to spend up to $500 for some small video kiosks to test the idea. If they work, they would be placed in the various lodging locations at the cash registers or appropriate places. If that is successful, plans to expand would be considered. The video kiosks cost about $50 each and are similar to a digital picture frame.