welcome
Tourism is big business I
n Oklahoma, tourism is the third largest industry in the state. That’s big business for Oklahoma and Bartlesville is definitely taking their piece of that travel industry pie. The latest comprehensive reports from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department prove just how big tourism is for communities like Bartlesville. In fact, visitor spending in Oklahoma due to travel and tourism generated a record high $986 million in federal, state, and local tax revenues in 2015. In Washington County, tourism was responsible for $5.8 million based on the total of local and state tax receipts, according to the report. The tourism industry is also responsible for supporting 900 jobs in Washington County. Jobs that include lodging, attractions, restaurants, and several other services in the county. “When people travel to Bartlesville, whether for business or leisure, they’re spending money at restaurants, purchasing fuel, attending events and renting meeting space,” says Maria Gus, executive director of the Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Adds Gus, “Bartlesville relies on the travel market to supplement so much of what makes our community a great place to live. Without visitors, our tax burden would be far greater.”
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Maria Gus, executive director of the Bartlesville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Reports from OTRD highlight visitor spending but more importantly, they prove what a vital role tourism plays in Oklahoma. For Bartlesville, big attractions like Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower provide a huge draw to the area. The history of Oklahoma and the oil industry have not only provided places to
explore like the Bartlesville Area History Museum, Frank Phillips Home, and the Phillips Petroleum Company Museum, but they’ve also created a very rich support system for the arts and culture. Organizations like the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra, the Bartlesville Civic Ballet, and the many groups that support sites like Discovery One Park and the AT&SF No. 940 flourish in a community like Bartlesville. These are great assets for locals and visitors alike. Bartlesville and Dewy also celebrate the vast history that makes up Oklahoma including Native American culture and western heritage. Many tribes are represented in the area and events like Oklahoma Indian Summer invite people from all over the country to celebrate the strong Native American presence in Oklahoma. Dewey’s Western Heritage Weekend is also a popular event that helps guests remember what it was like when cowboys like Tom Mix walked the streets of this part of Oklahoma. Whether visiting Bartlesville and Dewey for the arts and culture of an event like OK Mozart or the fun and adventure of a place like Kiddie Park, the tourism industry is ready to welcome guests to explore the fun, history, food, and tradition that makes Bartlesville, Dewey, and Oklahoma a great place to enjoy the journey.
At Tumbleweeds Steakhouse, it’s all about the customer! Tumbleweeds offers a ‘country comfortable’ atmosphere where serving quality food is the owner’s priority. Menu items include hand carved steaks, seafood, chicken and mouth-watering chops. Two customer favorites are wild Alaskan salmon and Tumbleweeds’ Reuben sandwich, considered one of the best around. Come in and try our fun seasonal desserts. A well-stocked bar is part of the ambiance as well as a private room for gatherings. Besides great food, the restaurant serves up good times in a family-friendly atmosphere, and the welcoming staff invites you to join them soon for lunch or dinner.
4049 SE Nowata Road, Bartlesville
918-333-9300
Bartlesville Magazine VISITOR’S GUIDE 2017
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