One goal of the 2010 General Plan is to promote tourism to help build the economy in Cedar City.
City Event Coordinator Byron Linford said some challenges Cedar City has with tourism progress is being in an economic downturn.
‘We need to keep being aggressive and invite people to come to Cedar City,’ he said. ‘When we get people to Cedar City we need to be a good host so we can get them to come back.’
City Councilor Steve Wood said tourism helps the community by providing more sales tax.
Last year sales tax was 60 percent of Cedar City’s income and this year the sales tax is 45 percent, Wood said.
Sales tax is Cedar City’s biggest source of income, Wood said.
Linford said because the economy is down and people are losing jobs, there isn’t as much money to spend as there has been in the past.
Wood said there are city events the council is looking forward to.
‘We have some good things in process that we as a council are excited about,’ he said.
The city council said they’ hope to help attract tourists to Cedar City by hosting youth tournaments, swim meets, a half marathon, soccer events, SUU Snow Fest, the Aquatic Center and the Utah Summer Games.
Linford said the city council is hoping that youth tournaments will bring more families to the tournaments.
‘We want to have different activities for the families to do after the tournaments, in hopes they will stay a little bit longer,’ Linford said.
Cedar City will host a half marathon in the fall and the runners will run down Cedar Canyon.
Linford said he thinks the marathon will be successful and get people involved.’
Wood said an area of the city they would like to improve is Downtown Cedar City.
He said the council wants to make it more appealing to those who come to the festivals.
Wood said work is being done to make downtown Cedar City more ‘pedestrian friendly’ by having parking, restaurants and stores within walking distance.’
Cedar City is looking to expand its transportation system up to Brian Head, he said.
A study will be done to see if surrounding towns would be interested in the transportation expansion and Brian Head has considered the proposal so their employees can be transported up to Brian Head from Cedar City, Wood said.’
The Aquatic Center is under construction and Wood said he hopes it will bring tourists to Cedar City and help entertain those tourists who are in Cedar City for different events.
The Aquatic Center we have multiple pools, spas, lounge area and multipurpose rooms.
‘We are excited about the Aquatic Center and hope it will bring good things to our community,’ Wood said.
