The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) and the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA) honored their 2024 Utah Tourism Hall of Fame inductees at the recent Utah Tourism Conference held in Layton. Honored were recently retired UOT Managing Director Vicki Varela, Visit Salt Lake CEO Kaitlin Eskelson, political consultant Des Barker and former director of marketing and director of hospitality at Temple Square Hospitality, Neil Wilkinson.
The Utah Tourism Hall of Fame recipients are selected based on their history of contributions to the state’s tourism industry through leadership and longstanding contributions to their region or to the entire state, the sponsors said.
“This year’s group of Hall of Fame inductees have left their mark on Utah and earned our industry’s deepest gratitude and appreciation,” said Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism. “All Utahns have benefited from their dedication to elevating the visitor economy.”
Beginning in 1985, the Hall of Fame has recognized 131 recipients who have contributed toward improving the national/international recognition of the positive aspects of vacationing in Utah, improved the understanding of Utah residents regarding the attractions of their state and the economic development benefits of tourism for the state, and facilitated efforts of improving the business climate for tourism-related businesses in Utah.
“The Utahns who make a living in our industry can often credit a mentor for helping them get to where they are now. All four of these inductees have greatly enhanced the careers and lives of many in our state,” said UTIA Executive Director Celina Sinclair. “Vicki, Kaitlin, Des and Neil are all legendary figures in the local tourism world and an inspiration to the current and future generations of tourism leaders.”
Varela retired from the Utah Office of Tourism in February and was involved in launching the Mighty Five campaign for Utah’s national parks, establishing the Red Emerald Strategic Plan to create and protect Utah travel experiences and keeping Utah’s parks open during multiple federal government shutdowns. In 2016, she was named U.S. Travel’s State Tourism Director of the Year.
Eskelson became Visit Salt Lake’s president and CEO in 2020 and has been instrumental in the expansion of Salt Lake City International Airport, the National Hockey League’s arrival in Utah and the landing of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. Under her leadership, Salt Lake County has seen a seven-fold increase in overnight room bookings.
In addition to running his own consulting business, Barker spent years working in public service and education. He was formerly the business and economic development director for the Park City Chamber and also served on the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Science board. He helped establish the Tourism Works Political Action Committee, the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund in the tourism space.
Wilkinson was a leader at Temple Square Hospitality for over 25 years. A long list of tourism officials and leaders have credited him as a valuable mentor, particularly during his time as the president of the Utah Tourism Industry Association’s board of directors.