Kansas Tourism is continuing to monitor the rapidly developing and changing Coronavirus effects in Kansas.
On Thursday, Kansas Governor Kelly declared a state of emergency to maximize efforts authorizing the use of state resources to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties. We continue to encourage the traveling public to seek and heed the latest expert guidance, and to make fact-based travel decisions. Travelers should observe safe travel habits as outlined by the CDC.
Checklists for our Kansas Tourism Industry Partners
• We encourage you to relook at every social post, especially those that you have prescheduled, to make sure they are still relevant and appropriate. In light of this rapidly changing situation, something that was current or appropriate last week may not be today.
• We need your assistance in keeping the TravelKS.com event listings current. If an event is being postponed or canceled, please take the time to update the listing on TravelKS.com in addition to your own website. If you need assistance, contact Jaimee.salalac@ks.gov or at 785-296-2009.
• Attempt to reschedule an event whenever possible. The effects of the Coronavirus on the travel industry will be significant, and every attempt to reschedule can help to minimize those adverse effects.
• Many families spring break travels have been disrupted – look for opportunities to encourage families to explore their own community assets. Kansas has ample wide-open spaces that provide exceptional family time. Kansas State Parks continue to remain open.
• It is important for you to keep track of lost business and to share that information with our office. The economic impact calculator available on TravelKS is an easy-to-use tool in assessing the impact of a festival, sporting event, convention or business meeting. This can also be used to quantify lost business. I encourage you to use the calculator and share the results with me at bridgette.jobe@ks.gov.
• We have a page up on TravelKS that refers visitors to the following reliable and factual sources as they make travel decisions.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
U.S. Travel Association
Bridgette Jobe, Director of Tourism
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
Office Phone: 785-296-3870
bridgette.jobe@ks.gov