Utah County has one of the hottest tourist attractions in the state in the Osmond Studios in northeast Orem – and this without the benefit of a great deal of promotion thus far. A state travel source was quoted unofficially as saying the Osmond movie and TV producing faclllty ranks next to Temple Square among visitor attractions in central an northern Utah. According to the Provo Chamber of Commerce, some of the other popular tourist attractlons in Utah Valley are BYU, the Provo Tem le, Sundance, Bridal Vell Falls, ‘Fimpanogos Cave, the Heber Creeper, and scenic loop roads. What effect will the energy shortage and soaring gasoline prices have on tourism? Nobody can tell for sure, but it stands to reason there will be negatlve effects which need to be countered with efforts to induce tourists to stay longer in the area. This was one of the thrusts of a recent tourlsm planning workshop sponsored by Mountainland Association of Governments with the cooperation of other agencies interested in tourism. The Provo Chamber, which serves as the office for the Utah County Travel Council, reports that last year the visitor stay in Utah averaged only 1’/s days but the tota expenditure sti l approximated $350 million. This makes quite clear the reasons for seeking to lengthen the tenure of tourist visits. Tourism ranks among the top five industries in the state as an lmcome producer. The work of agencies interested in tourism is to be commended. They offer positive assistance to the visitor seeking points of interest to vlsit, and distribute literature prepared by the Utah Travel Council, Chambers of Commerce, and others. Among the literature available thls year will be a small brochure on the Osmond Studios. A spokesman said some 60,000 persons visited the studios in an eight-month period last year. This, of course, includes local vlsltors as well as tourists. In view of its healgi production schedule, the Osmo s encourage would-be visitors to make arrangements in advance, since the visits are on s tour basis. Special rates are given large groups. An lnterestlirgl attraction is the “star wall” wl pictures and cement impressions of handprints of celebrities who have performed or visited the studios. With the summer season coming up, Utah Valley will be putting down the welcome mat with a great deal to offer the visitor… and hoping travel won’t be curtailed too much by a current unfortunate fact of Ife – the gasoline situation.