As the Waldo Canyon fire continues to burn, businesses and the Colorado Springs visitors board are prepairing to battle back from the fire storm that has shut down tourist atractions and the support infrastructure that is so much a part of this, the second largest city in Colorado. Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau Former President
Everyone needs a hand in Waldo Canyon
Terry Sullivan anticipates the Waldo fire could cause greater local tourism damage than Hayman did. Hayman, in 2002 burned 138,114 acres and 133 homes and cost $40 million to extinguish. As of Wednesday morning, the Waldo Canyon fire had displaced 32,000 people and burned more than 17,00o acres, 364 homes, and left two dead.
After the Hayman fire, Colorado Springs and The Pikes Peak Region saw a 20% decline in revenue generated from tourism. Sullivan suspects, do to the proximity of the fire, Colorado Springs proper could take years to recover.
Social media campaigns will encourage and promote local festivals and events meant to draw a more local crowd from up and down the front range. Major efforts are already being taken by local businesses to donate portions of proceeds to victims and Fire fighters alike.