Western Tourism

Recently I was researching what led to tourism in Wyoming and the West. I stumbled across a book called "Welcome to wonderland promoting tourism in the Rocky Mountain West" by Peter J. Blodgett. There are four or five parts of the book. The fourth section is called Constructing Wonderland. I found chapter 12, Western Tourism, 1880-1920, the most relevant to my topic. Blodgett discusses how the construction of the continental railroad had a major impact on tourism in the west. Without the railroad there would have been no reason to develop tourism. "Among the most significant enterprises that developed were those catering to the wants and desires of... the outdoor enthusiast..." (Blodgett, 362). They capitalized on wealthy travelers, since the upper-class clientele possessed substantial incomes and leisure time. Many hotels and resorts were established along the railroads because of the easy transportation and access to travelers. Blodgett basically gives a run down of the history or tourism and the marketing of the west since 1880.


WYO - The University of Wyoming Cowboy  by Alicia Spagnola

 I found this book very interesting. As Blodgett states, Americans had a "fascination with recreation in natural settings, an influence that would continue to grow over time in the second half of the nineteenth century and in turn affect the evolution of tourism and national parks by the early twentieth century" (Blodgett, 364). I believe this is still true today. Americans and even foreign travelers envision Wyoming as the unchanged land of Cowboys and Indians that is still truly Wild West. Marketers for the state today still capitalize on this idea. Their current slogan is "Wyoming - Forever West". Wyoming promotes it's seclusion and small population to emphasize the vast acres of open land and national parks we have. It still caters to the outdoor enthusiasts that Blodgett mentioned. Promoting fishing, hunting, hiking, and just taking in the scenery in general to tourists. Back in the 1800s to 1920s the West was promoted as a place to escape and relax. Then it was a place to travel to on train to visit a spa and resort. It is still promoted as a place to escape and relax, but its more to become one with nature and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the high based city life that so many people live in these days. This is exactly what I want to continue to promote the state as if I land a job with the Dept. of Travel and Tourism. I don't want to ever lose the Wyoming I have come to know and love.