(The Center Square) – The Iowa tourism industry is campaigning for a significant, if not complete, recovery from the low levels seen during pandemic precautions last summer.

In an email to The Center Square, Jessica O’Riley, the Iowa Economic Authority’s communications manager for travel to Iowa, referred to an estimate by AAA Travel that weekend travel would increase by 60 on Memorial Day between May 27 and May 31 % forecast.

“Travelers to Iowa grew 63.3% for May 1-25, 2021 over the same period in 2020,” said O’Riley. “However, we have not yet reached the level before the 2019 pandemic. We are down 11.0% over the same period (2019 versus 2021). Travel is definitely on the rise. “

Quoting AAA information, O’Riley said more than 37 million people are expected to be 50 miles or more from home in Iowa this weekend.

“Over the next several months, the Iowa Tourism Office is taking the opportunity to highlight the state’s tourism assets through a variety of initiatives,” said O’Riley.

AAA travel Another factor contributing to the expected increase in travel on this vacation is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated guidelines that low-risk, fully vaccinated people can travel domestically while taking reasonable precautions .

However, according to a press release from AAA Travel, it’s important to note that some local and state travel restrictions may remain in place.

“As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are showing a strong desire to travel on Memorial Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, a strong indicator of the summer. “

The Travel Federation of Iowa appreciates Tourism generated $ 9 billion This tourism spending contributed $ 517.5 million to tax revenue for the state. TFI also estimates that tourists were spending $ 24.6 million a day in 2018, and tourism supports more than 70,000 jobs in Iowa for total wages of $ 1.45 billion.

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