Why Economic Developers Should Prioritize Domestic Tourism in 2025

Why Economic Developers Should Prioritize Domestic Tourism in 2025 Main Photo

21 Apr 2025


News, Tourism, Marketing, Quality of Life

Domestic tourism is emerging as one of the most important opportunities for communities looking to grow their local economy in 2025. According to the Tourism Economics Report, international travel to the United States is expected to drop by over 5% this year, with a projected $64 billion decline in total travel spending. Visits from Canada—the largest inbound tourism market—could fall by as much as 15%.

Combined with reduced consumer spending power due to inflation, this shift creates an urgent need for tourism organizations, economic development professionals, Main Street programs, and chambers of commerce to refocus their strategies on attracting U.S.-based travelers. In some situations, travelers looking to save money could be an advantage for communities as people elect to drive, instead of fly, and may opt to visit locations nearby as a result.

The Case for Domestic Tourism Marketing in 2025

The Tourism Economics Report identifies key threats to international travel:

  • Concerns over travel restrictions and challenges crossing the border
  • Slowing global economies
  • A stronger U.S. dollar
  • Ongoing trade tensions with countries like Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU

Meanwhile, domestic travel opportunities are high for communities who can market themselves as a desirable and affordable destination for weekend getaways, road trips, and regional exploration.

Domestic Tourism Is Economic Development

When U.S. travelers visit your community, they spend money at local restaurants, hotels, shops, and attractions. That revenue supports small businesses, creates jobs, generates tax income, and helps revitalize Main Streets.

Examples of success:

  • Roswell-Chaves County, NM is boosting their tourism sector by landing the National Championship Air Races.
  • Selma, AL earned recognition as one of the top places to visit in Alabama due to focused tourism marketing.
  • Montgomery County, KS ran a successful talent attraction and relocation campaign that also brought in visitors.

How Economic Developers Can Attract Domestic Tourists

Your community has a story. Golden Shovel helps you tell it in ways that inspire people to visit, invest, and share it with others.

Here are key services to support your 2025 domestic tourism marketing strategy:

What Makes Golden Shovel Unique?

Golden Shovel Agency is the only marketing agency built exclusively for economic development and tourism organizations. With more than 300 projects completed across 42 states and 5 countries—and a 95% client retention rate—we understand your needs and bring deep industry knowledge, award-winning digital tools, and creative strategies to the table.

Our work delivers real results in tourism, talent attraction, investment, and community engagement.

Take Action: Make 2025 Your Community’s Breakout Year

By focusing on domestic tourism in 2025, your community can:

  • Attract regional visitors and weekend travelers
  • Fill local hotels, restaurants, and downtown storefronts
  • Secure funding and partnerships through demonstrated tourism impact
  • Inspire new residents and investors to take a closer look

Get started today with a partner who knows your industry and can guide you every step of the way.
📅 Schedule a strategy session: www.goldenshovelagency.com/contact 
📄 Download our whitepaper: How to Incorporate Tourism Into Your Economic Development Strategy: Best Practices You Can Implement Today
📹 Watch our webinars: How to Incorporate Tourism Into Your Economic Development Strategy: Best Practices You Can Implement Today

About The Author

Bethany Quinn's Profile Photo

Bethany Quinn

President

Department: Leadership

Leading Strategic Growth and Community Empowerment

Bethany Quinn is a trailblazer. For more than nine years, she has been at the forefront of transforming Golden Shovel Agency from an economic development website and video production company, into a full-service marketing powerhouse, specializing in strategy creation and comprehensive marketing campaigns. Through visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Bethany has driven the development of cutting-edge products and expanded service offerings, resulting in transformative company growth. She also pioneered Golden Shovel’s thought leadership and Resource Learning Library, conducting ongoing industry research and identifying best practices, to educate and elevate the economic development community.

Bethany’s passion for economic development runs deep. As President, she leads the team with a sharp focus on using research-driven insights and stakeholder engagement, to craft impactful strategies that strengthen communities across the nation. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), target industry attraction campaigns, and long-term strategic plans that deliver measurable results.

She is proud of the work Golden Shovel does to empower economic developers to strengthen their communities. These notable successes include Falls City, Nebraska reversing population decline, and igniting future growth through downtown revitalization and infrastructure improvements, resulting in a $5 billion investment. Attraction success stories, such as this, is important, but Bethany also values the small wins, such as helping economic developers to retain their existing industries, supporting entrepreneurs, expanding childcare, and developing more housing units. “Economic development is about improving people’s lives. My passion, my education, and my work center around strengthening communities, so families can thrive and live the American Dream.”

Bethany’s influence extends beyond her day-to-day leadership at Golden Shovel. She is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and webinars, and regularly presents for the Southern Economic Development Council and Texas Economic Development Council, where she shares her expertise in modern economic development strategies, and community transformation.

Driven by a passion for community betterment, Bethany’s volunteer work has included serving on the board of the University of Missouri Family Impact Center and Youth Resources. She works tirelessly to strengthen educational, health, and housing programs for underserved populations, reflecting her commitment to creating lasting change.

Bethany holds a B.S. in Human Development with a focus on Organizational Leadership, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology. A lifelong learner, she holds certifications in social and behavioral research, project management, inbound marketing, systems thinking, and AI-powered marketing.

In her personal life, Bethany finds inspiration through travel, particularly to Disney and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As an advocate for historical preservation, she actively supports organizations like George Washington's Mount Vernon and the Gettysburg Foundation, preserving the stories that shaped America.