The Missouri Tourism Commission has named a new director for the Missouri Division of Tourism.
Stephen Foutes will oversee the state's marketing efforts to attract visitors to Missouri. The division is part of the state's Department of Economic Development.
Foutes previously served at the division as a travel guide and website editor in 2010, communications manager in 2012, and public relations specialist in 2015. Most recently, he was director of marketing for the Missouri State Medical Association.
"This is an exciting time for the Missouri tourism industry, and I'm honored to be chosen to lead the state's efforts in this rapidly evolving sector," Foutes said in a news release.
Missouri welcomed nearly 43 million visitors in fiscal year 2019, generating an estimated $17.7 billion, division officials said. More than 304,000 Missourians are directly employed in the tourism industry.