Gov. Pillen and Nebraska Tourism: Travel spending in Nebraska reached $4.72 billion in 2025

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Jenn Gjerde, Visit Nebraska, 402-471-3768

 

Gov. Pillen and Nebraska Tourism: Travel spending in Nebraska reached $4.72 billion in 2025

 

LINCOLN, NE — Travel spending in Nebraska reached $4.72 billion in 2025, up 2.6% from the yr earlier than. That’s in accordance with a newly issued report on the state’s tourism trade. The discovering was certainly one of many highlighted throughout a information convention by Governor Jim Pillen and Executive Director Jenn Gjerde of the Nebraska Tourism Commission.

“We say it all the time. In Nebraska, it’s the people, it’s the people of Nebraska,” stated Gov. Pillen. “We have extraordinary attractions that we can brag about and enjoy right here. We don’t need to travel far to experience great tourism, connect with great people, and take in the sights and scenery of Nebraska.”

The report, ready by Dean Runyan Associates, discovered that journey additionally generated almost 42,000 jobs and $339.5 million in state and native tax income, up $16.2 million from 2024

“Here’s what I love about these numbers — you can see what they mean in communities all across Nebraska,” stated Gjerde.  “It’s another night at a hotel, dinner at a local restaurant, a stop at a small business or a tank of gas on the way to the next town. Those choices add up. Tourism is a major economic driver for Nebraska, and we continue to see that impact grow.”

That progress has continued past the interval lined by the report.

Nebraska closed the final fiscal yr with one other report in lodging tax collections, narrowly topping the earlier report. So far, this fiscal yr, lodging tax collections are working about 26% forward of the identical time final yr.

The annual Dean Runyan report appears at journey spending, jobs and tax income throughout Nebraska and consists of info for particular person counties. For occasion, Buffalo County had the strongest progress amongst Nebraska’s high 5 tourism counties final yr.  Paul Younes, whose household operates inns and convention facilities in Kearney, Grand Island and Hastings talked in regards to the significance of making relationships and what it takes to draw guests.

“In Kearney, we work to bring people together as much as we can. We bring conventions and special events to Kearney, and we create so many opportunities here. Why does it work in Kearney? Because everybody works together. One person alone doesn’t do it; the whole community comes together,” stated Younes. “Our job is to convey individuals to Kearney, guarantee they’ve an important expertise and welcome them again to proceed to come back.

“What excites me most is that we continue to see growth,” stated Gjerde. “Tourism is no longer a nice-to-have. It supports jobs, brings money into our communities and generates tax revenue across the state. There is a lot of opportunity in front of us, and we’re going after it.”

In addition to the knowledge contained within the Runyan Report, 2026 Future Partners analysis discovered that each current and sure Nebraska vacationers view the state as family-friendly, protected, welcoming, scenic and stress-free.

“We develop that relationship, loyalty, and mutual trust by showing them what we can do for them,” stated Younes. “You could have all the facilities in the world wherever you want, but if you don’t have people like Nebraskans, you don’t have anything.”

“It’s really important that we quit being so humble, that we appreciate how extraordinary what we do truly is,” stated Gov. Pillen. “We have to get the word out, and the first part starts with us. If we appreciate how extraordinary it is, the message gets out.”

Gov. Pillen speaks at information convention highlighting new tourism information for Nebraska

Jenn Gjerde speaks at information convention highlighting new tourism information for Nebraska

Paul Younes of Kearney speaks at information convention highlighting new tourism information for Nebraska