187. Natalie Randall — Exploring Tourism's Effect on the Economy and Communities

Season 6 Episode 30: In this episode, Pete Codella, managing director of business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, talks with Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film. Randall discusses her journey from growing up in northern Virginia to building her career focused on outdoor recreation and tourism in Utah. She highlights her experiences in various roles, including working in adaptive recreation, running an adventure company, and leading economic development in rural Utah. Randall emphasizes the importance of community engagement, bridging divides through recreation, and enhancing tourism as part of economic growth.  The duo discusses the economic impact of tourism in Utah, emphasizing the industry's contribution to the state's economy, with nearly $12 billion in visitor spending in 2022 and over 151,000 tourism-related jobs. Randall highlights how tourism brings revenue and enhances the quality of life for Utah residents. She details the state's efforts to balance tourism growth with community benefits through strategic planning and stewardship. Randall also highlights the importance of rural tourism and the film industry's growing presence in Utah and shares her excitement for Utah's upcoming role in the 2034 Winter Olympics.