Officials with the Local Marketing District are crediting the district’s partnership with Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. for expanded flights and increased travel at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport.
According to a news release, the Local Marketing District 2024 operating plan, approved by Steamboat Springs City Council in September, was put together in partnership with Steamboat Resort, the Yampa Valley Regional Airport, city and county officials, the Steamboat Chamber and the lodging community. The plan includes an expanded air service program for winter 2023-24.
Approved by voters in 2004, a 2% lodging tax is used to support air service and marketing through the LDM. According to the operating plan, in 2022-23 the winter air program saw a record 153,986 arriving passengers, equating to roughly $241 million in local economic activity.
“The LMD Board of Directors is thrilled about the growth we’ve seen to the Yampa Valley’s air program since the LMD was approved in 2004,” LMD Chair Bob Milne said in a statement. “Thanks to our partnership with SSRC and other community partners, we’ve been able to drastically increase the number of passengers arriving to YVRA each year. This year’s operating plan provides visitors and locals access to 6 major airlines and 16 nonstop airports, which is exciting.”
