COVID-19 ‘Obliterates’ Sheridan County Tourism Season

The COVID-19 pandemic has basically obliterated the travel and tourism season in Sheridan County this year.

That’s the assessment of Shawn Parker, who’s executive director of Sheridan Travel and Tourism. But, he said, that’s true not only in Sheridan but across Wyoming, across the country and in fact, across the planet.

Parker said it’s too early to tell at this time whether any part of this year’s tourist season can be salvaged, or what the future will bring, because we don’t know what Governor Mark Gordon will suggest or what the federal government will do with the transportation network.

So far, closure of businesses and public places, including schools and government offices, is scheduled to end around May 1. But whether that will actually happen – or how it will happen – remains to be seen.

Parker said even if re-openings are, in fact, allowed, we don’t know at this time how quickly or slowly re-openings will happen or whether large gatherings will be permitted.

He said it’s unlikely that Sheridan County will see any return of international tourism this summer, which means he isn’t expecting to see much, if any, bus tours.