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In recent remarks to tourism leaders meeting in Branson and at the Regional Business Council in St. Louis, Gov. Jay Nixon outlined a new initiative to jump-start the state’s tourism industry by promoting Missouri’s state parks. The governor’s goal is to boost attendance at the 83 state parks and historic sites, and thereby encourage families to spend more of their tourism dollars in Missouri.

In 1999, more than 18.2 million people visited Missouri state parks. The number of visitors to the parks in 2008 was 14.8 million, a decrease of 18.6 percent in 10 years.

“When times are tight, families are looking for value, but they also want a quality experience,” Nixon said. “That’s where our state parks come in. For single visitors, retired couples or families with minivans full of kids, our state parks offer the value they need with the unparalleled quality they want.”

In September, the governor appointed Bill Bryan as deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and as director of the department’s Division of State Parks.

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