Summertime in the mountains. All indications are that Durango will continue to experience modest but sustained growth for tourism.

The Durango Area Tourism Office has taken numerous steps to strengthen this summer’s tourism numbers. DATO has increased support to tourism-based businesses and events as outlined in its Marketing Program Guide, which is available to all tourism-based businesses.

To combat higher gas prices, we are putting more emphasis on closer geographic markets such as the Albuquerque-, Phoenix-, Denver-area and other markets that are an eight-hour drive or shorter. Despite higher gas prices, research indicates that Americans still will take summer holidays; however, they might stay closer to home.

As for air travel, it continues to be a roller-coaster ride for the major airline carriers, and accessibility is critical. Because of Durango’s strong and consistent air demand, Durango-La Plata County Airport is welcoming back air service on American Airlines. The international carrier will begin service today with one nonstop jet service daily from Dallas/Ft. Worth. The two-hour, nonstop flight is run by American Eagle aboard an Embraer Regional Jet, an ERJ 145, which seats 50 passengers.

The American Eagle network is the largest regional airline system in the world, with more than 1,700 daily flights to more than 150 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico. Together, American, American Eagle and AmericanConnection serve more than 250 cities in 40 countries, making Durango and La Plata County even more accessible.

With a newly remodeled modern terminal, Durango offers service on United, Frontier, US Airways and now American Airlines providing connecting hubs in Denver, Phoenix and Dallas/Ft. Worth. If you haven’t experienced Durango-La Plata County Airport, just hop onto flydurango.com and view the selection of daily flights arriving and departing.

This additional flight brings tourists, family members and businesspeople to and from our city. Join in the American Airlines welcome celebration from 9 to 10:25 a.m. today at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.

We welcome another summer that holds the promise of growth and excitement. Enjoy yourself and be safe wherever your travels take you. We will be sure to welcome you back when you return.

john@durango.org John Cohen is executive director for the Durango Area Tourism Office. DATO is a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism in Durango and La Plata County. DATO is funded by a tax on hotel and motel rooms in Durango and La Plata County.