Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has created a new
committee charged with promoting ecotourism in the state.
Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Secretary Robin Jennison will lead
the 16-member Kansas Ecotourism Steering Committee. Brownback said
Wednesday the panel’s mission is to provide direction, guidance and
marketing strategies to help grow the industry.
Brownback’s office says ecotourism combines conservation and
travel to include such as activities as hiking, biking, camping,
wildlife-watching and river floats. The administration says tourism
overall is Kansas’ third largest industry, with an economic impact
of $5.4 billion.
In the ecotourism niche, the state estimates that 790,000 people
participated in wildlife-watching activities in 2011, spending
about $208 million in related purchases.
