Missouri will spend $15 million of federal COVID-19 relief money to entice tourists
Missouri is spending $15 million of its federal COVID-19 relief money to promote tourism, an industry hit hard by the pandemic, as the number of cases in the state continues to rise.
Gov. Mike Parson called tourism “a great way to support Missouri businesses” at his afternoon press briefing July 16, where officials emphasized that visiting attractions can be done safely.
“With all the other things going on, it’s still important people need to get out and enjoy life a little bit,” Parson said.
The CARES Act grant money will be designated for organizations that market specific destinations around the state.
Tourism Director Stephen Foutes said funding will help these groups “maintain their marketing focus” and “include messaging on safety measures that have been implemented by their attractions.”
Marketing groups can also apply to have the cost of safety measures such as temperature screenings offset through program, he said.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are requiring visitors from 22 states to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the tri-state area. Other states have imposed similar restrictions for travelers.
Videos of crowded Lake of the Ozarks pool parties sparked outrage in May after people flocked to the popular central Missouri tourist destination for Memorial Day weekend celebrations.
Asked whether it’s responsible to promote interstate travel during a pandemic, Missouri Health Director Randall Williams said he feels “very comfortable telling people it’s okay” as long as they practice good hand-washing, social distancing and mask-wearing when that isn’t possible.
Randall said he comes from a background of “risks and benefits.”
“I think there are benefits to getting outdoors, to travel in that case,” he said. “And are there some risks? There probably are, but there are also some benefits. Let’s not lose sight of that.”
Economic Director Rob Dixon said more than 40% of American travelers now say that they have no plans to travel for the rest of the year. He said the marketing pitch to tourists during the pandemic will emphasize that travel can be done safely.
“This is a new normal for the world economy. It’s a new normal for our state’s economy, and we’re going to have to go about doing business with the virus around us,” Dixon said.
“What we’ve talked about from day one is that citizens have to take responsibility for their own actions.”
This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
