The Department of Tourism and Recreation is led by the Executive Director, who is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The current Executive Director is Jerry Winchester who was appointed April 1, 2019.
Members of the Commission
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission is an advisory commission to the Executive Director. Eight members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate. The LieutenantGovernor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as the ninth member and Chair of the Commission. As of 2020, the members of the Commission are:
Administered by the Executive Director, the Department began in 1931 when the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated funds for the land on which Lake Murray is located. In 1951, Lake Murray State Park also became the site for the first of seven state-owned lodges. Through the years, park, lodge, and tourism programs rested in the Planning and Resources Board, the Department of Commerce and Industry, and the Industrial Development and Park Department. In 1972, the legislature created the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department which is made up of four divisions. The Division of State Parks operates the Oklahoma State Parks System, providing a myriad of affordable outdoor recreational and vacation opportunities to millions of visitors every year. The Oklahoma Film and Music Office promotes the film and music industry by actively recruiting film and music productions to utilize our incredible talent and take advantage of the 12 eco-regions of unique terrain. The Travel Promotion Division markets Oklahoma through regional, national, and international advertisement and travel promotion programs such as Travel Information Centers, “Discover Oklahoma” television show, and “Oklahoma Today Magazine”, and Oklahoma’s tourism information site, “TravelOK.com.” In 2018, tourism was Oklahoma’s third largest industry and contributed $9.6 billion to Oklahoma’s economy in direct visitor spending, $708 million dollars in state and local taxes, and supported 103,600 jobs throughout the state.
Organization
Executive Director
*Administrative Services Division - central offices of the Department, coordinates the fiscal activities of the operating divisions, provides financial information, fiscal control, and payroll, personnel, purchasing, and vendor payment services.
*State Parks Division - operates the state parks, lodges and golf courses under the jurisdiction and control of the Department, researches and develops statistical information and economic development and planning assistance to the Department and to communities throughout the state, and also administers federal grant funds for outdoor recreational development
*Travel Promotion Division - formulates information and marketing plans and programs designed to attract tourists to the state and oversees the dissemination of information concerning the State's public and private attractions, lodges, parks and recreational facilities, provides assistance to cities, public and private associations and organizations in the promotion of special events of local or historical interest and in the solicitation of conferences, meetings and conventions. Maintains the official Oklahoma travel and tourism website - http://www.travelok.com. The division is also responsible for publication of Oklahoma Today magazine and production of Discover Oklahoma television show, which airs weekly on network stations in Oklahoma and north Texas.
*Oklahoma Film and Music Division- works with in-state and out-of-state music and film industry officials to promote, support and expand the music and film activity in the state of Oklahoma
