Although some officials question its accuracy, a 21-page spread on Utah in a West German magazine is expected to continue drawing visitors from that country to the state.

The current issue of GEO, which local officials say is the West German equivalent of National Geographic, features the southwestern United States. It includes color photos of Utah's outdoor attractions, eight pages of detailed information on what to see in the state and a five-page article on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The article about the church was written by Anson Shupe and John Heinerman, two men who co-authored a book about the church's corporate power. People who read German said parts of the article do not cast the church in a favorable light.

State officials, however, are not concerned, saying the important thing is to attract attention. West Germany already provides more visitors to Utah than any other overseas country.

"It (the article) certainly adds to the allure of the state," said Joe Rutherford, spokesman for the Utah Travel Council. "People don't come to Utah solely to visit Temple Square, but they visit it while they're here."

Quig Neilsen, spokesman for Temple Square, said 6 percent of the yearly visitors to the square come from West Germany. He

said the overall effect of the article will be positive, despite portions that he said were inaccurate.

"I think the article will pique the interest of people," he said"

View Comments

The articles came after more than three years of prodding by The Foremost West, a company hired by five western states, including Utah, to promote tourism to inaternational markets.

Brad Smith, company executive director, said it would have cost the states a combined $1 million to buy the type of publicity provided by the articles for free.

"It took us three years to get the `yes' decision from the magazine," Smith said. "This will be on the newsstands for 60 days. It's the kind of thing that sits around the home and is used as a reference piece."

Visits from Japanese and European tourists increased 181 percent in Utah between 1985 and 1987, the largest such gain in the nation, according to figures compiled by The Foremost West.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.