SALT LAKE CITY — State tourism officials say many European tourists come to Utah to release their inner cowboy during the Days of '47 celebrations.
"We're on the map with the Western (movies). John Wayne movies were made in Utah. So they come to this state because they love the Westerns and the cowboy," said Utah Office of Tourism Managing Director Leigh von der Esch.
Von der Esch said many European tourists don't come to the state specifically for Pioneer Day, but they read about it in travel guides and want to know more.
"The French, the Germans and all of the foreign people who are visiting love an authentic experience. If they can catch a rodeo or a parade, it's terrific," she said.
Pioneer Day has been so fascinating for some tourists that they actually extend their stay to see the parades and handcarts. She asks anyone holding a Pioneer Day celebration to advertise it as much as they can so the tourists visiting the state can see it.
She said that in the past, a documentary crew from France came to the state to film something other than Pioneer Day, but the crew was so fascinated by the holiday it filmed the festivities, too.