Lt. Governor David Wasinger praised Missouri’s tourism leaders at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, recognizing their vital role in making the state a premier U.S. travel destination.
David Wasinger
Lieutenant Governor | State of Missouri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lt. Governor David Wasinger Highlights Strength of Missouri Tourism at Governor’s Conference on Tourism
LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Yesterday, Lt. Governor David Wasinger addressed state and local tourism leaders at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, celebrating the Missourians who help make the state one of America’s top travel destinations.
Drawing on his small-town roots in Hannibal — home of Mark Twain and the Mississippi River — Wasinger emphasized how Missouri’s character and charm are key to its growing tourism success.
“I grew up watching visitors travel from across the country just to walk the same streets and riverbanks that shaped Twain’s stories,” Wasinger said. “That experience taught me something early — Missouri has a story people want to be part of.”
Lieutenant Governor Wasinger highlighted the vital role tourism plays in Missouri’s economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars each year. He also underscored the industry’s importance in keeping small businesses alive across the state.
“When families stay in our hotels, eat at our diners, or shop in our downtowns, that money stays right here in Missouri,” Wasinger said. “Tourism strengthens communities, supports jobs, and reminds us why this is such a great place to live, work, and visit.”
The Lieutenant Governor also praised the impact of major sporting events, golf destinations, amusement parks, and outdoor recreation on the state’s tourism economy.
“When the Chiefs host a playoff game or the Cardinals open their season, hotels fill up and restaurants buzz,” Wasinger said. “And from Big Cedar Lodge to Silver Dollar City, Missouri knows how to host a crowd and deliver an experience people never forget.”
In his closing remarks, Wasinger thanked the tourism professionals, business owners, and public servants who keep Missouri’s tourism industry strong.
“You don’t just bring people here — you remind all of us how lucky we are to live here,” Wasinger said. “Together, we’re growing jobs, strengthening communities, and telling the story of Missouri to the world.”
About David Wasinger
David Wasinger serves as Missouri’s 49th Lt. Governor. Wasinger is a lifelong Missourian, raised in Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Vanderbilt University School of Law, building a career as an attorney who stood up to powerful special interests and fought for justice for everyday Americans.
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