A global consulting firm that recently assessed the Tulsa region on how it scores as a visitor destination ranked it in the highest (trailblazer) quadrant, with above-average scores in destination alignment and destination strength.

Renee McKenney, senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and president of Tulsa Regional Tourism, conveyed that to the Chamber’s Executive Committee during a presentation on Monday.

“Tulsans see ourselves as trailblazers, and that’s half the battle when you can get your own community to feel that,” McKenney said.

She provided an overview of the DestinationNEXT Community Sentiment Tourism Study conducted by MMGY NextFactor, a Canada-based consulting firm that specializes in travel and tourism, delivering strategies to more than 360 destinations across the globe.

The study collected feedback and perceptions from 166 respondents, including Tulsa Regional Tourism partners, community leaders and government leaders.

Key takeaways from the study included:

• A considerable local interest in developing facilities such as a convention center hotel, sound stages for film production, an RV park and sports facilities.
• The roles Tulsa Regional Tourism should play in addressing visitor-impacting issues such as homelessness, political rhetoric, crime and lack of parking.
• Tulsa Regional Tourism should capitalize on the 2026 centennial of Route 66.
• The need to increase Tulsa Regional Tourism funding and expanding tax incentives for film, sports and conventions.

During her presentation, McKenney reiterated her desire for Tulsa to have a convention center hotel. Since 2018, the loss of convention business has cost the city an estimated $186.7 million in economic impact, according to a feasibility study conducted by Hunden Partners.

“Have you all seen the Omni (Hotel) in Oklahoma City?” McKenney asked. “It’s a game-changer, and all ships rise.”

She and other municipal leaders are recommending a 650-room convention center hotel in downtown Tulsa. Oklahoma City’s Omni has 605 rooms. 

“We are going to have to be aggressive,” McKenney told the Executive Committee members. “If we can get a shovel in the ground by the end of December of ’24 so that we can start building in ’25, we will be able to sell that immediately and start filling up future years.”