A new report shows tourism spending in Utah climbed to a new high of $7.98 billion, driven in part by record visitation to the state's five national parks.
A University of Utah study released Wednesday shows spending grew about 5 percent in 2014 compared to the year before in the tourism sector, which ranks as one of the state's largest industries.
The study says spending at Utah ski resorts totaled $1.1 billion, down a bit during a middling snow year. During the summer and fall months, tourists flocking to the state's national parks pushed visitation totals to 8.2 million.
The report says tourism spending has been climbing steadily as the economy improves and gas prices stay relatively low.
Also growing is the number of visitors from China, whose combined spending increased by over $1 million.