That's billion, with a "b"

In a state without oceans, mountain ranges or a Disneyland theme park, it’s easy to question the impact of the travel industry in Iowa. Or, sometimes, people ask me whether a tourism industry exists in Iowa at all. Rest assured, it does. In fact, tourism is big business in Iowa, generating an estimated $6.1 billion in spending annually.

Two weeks ago I saw proof of tourism’s impact here when I visited two Iowa attractions - one very small and rather unknown destination and another attraction that is making a name for itself as one of Iowa’s true vacation gems.

Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop

First, I visited the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop in the tiny town of Haverhill, just outside Marshalltown. A German immigrant, Edel was a renowned blacksmith who operated a small shop until 1940. Today the shop looks exactly as it did when Edel left it. It’s brimming with hand-made tools, thousands of horse shoes and other unique metalworks that Edel created as part of his business. Our tour guide told us that only about 200 people visit this attraction annually, but a quick glimpse through the visitor book surprised me. In just the first couple weeks of July, the Matthew Edel Blacksmith shop entertained guests from Michigan and Texas. Earlier in the summer, it welcomed a group from Germany who were interested in learning more about their native son who eventually settled in Iowa.



Lobby of Honey Creek Resort

During the weekend, nearly 20 members of my family enjoyed an evening at the Honey Creek Resort State Park near Moravia in south central Iowa. It was my third trip to this resort on the shores of Lake Rathbun, and each time I come here I’m amazed at the number of out-of-state visitors. One this visit, I saw cars in the parking lot from Nebraska, Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas and Alabama. The resort, cabins, restaurant and waterpark were buzzing with activity as families and friends gathered for a reunion or a quick weekend away.
Tourism is a huge economic engine across America, and no one can argue that Florida, California and New York are major destinations. But Iowa is home to our own diverse mix of attractions, events, natural resources, restaurants and lodging properties that on any given day delight visitors from around the region, nation and world.

Next time you’re traveling Iowa, I encourage you to check out the license plates in the parking lot or thumb through the guest book. I think you’ll be surprised with what you find.


Shawna Lode, Iowa Tourism Office