Morris inducted into Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame

Bass Pro Shops founder John L. Morris received the Missouri Division of Tourism and Missouri Tourism Commission’s highest honor Oct. 8, when he was named this year’s inductee to the Missouri Tourism Hall of Fame.

Morris was inducted during an awards gala at the 46th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Renaissance Airport Hotel in St. Louis. More than 200 people attended the conference, according to a news release.

The annual award recognizes contributions to Missouri’s tourism industry for at least 10 years, with a lasting impact on the state’s economy.

A Springfield native, Morris was honored for establishing one of Missouri’s top tourism draws – Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield – among other attractions, such as Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and Big Cedar Lodge in the Branson area. According to Springfield Business Journal archives, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World attracts around 4 million visitors per year.

Morris also was recognized for his work at Top of the Rock and Buffalo Ridge Springs golf courses, unveiled earlier this year during the inaugural Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf tournament. That event, featuring players from the PGA’s Champions Tour, had an estimated local economic impact of $3.5 million – not including construction.

In my view, few if any have done more for the travel industry in the state of Missouri than Johnny Morris,” said Tracy Kimberlin, president of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, in the release.
 
The honor for Morris comes as Bass Pro reportedly is exploring financing options as it continues to build stores nationwide. Bass Pro currently operates 68 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada, with another 25 in various stages of development. Additionally, the company has 20 Tracker Marine boat sales centers.

Missouri's $14 billion tourism industry supports over 285,000 jobs, according to the release.