Visit Topeka releases first-ever print edition of Spanish-language visitor's guide
Visit Topeka, in collaboration with GO Topeka, announced today that the city’s 2022 visitor’s guide will feature a printed Spanish-language version and be re-branded as the “Topeka City Guide” to introduce visitors and potential future residents to the quality of life and amenities the capital city has to offer. The Spanish-language guide is thought to be the first in the Midwest to be offered and features 112 pages of content designed to appeal to the region’s growing Hispanic and Latino populations.
With the United States’ Hispanic population growing by nearly 25% over the past decade, cities and communities across the country being able to reach this flourishing demographic has become more important than ever.
In a first-of-its-kind attempt to cater to the nation’s Spanish speakers — which now comprise about 13% of the U.S. population — Visit Topeka has collaborated with GO Topeka to publish a printed Spanish-language city guide that includes both information for visitors and those who may be looking to relocate. This comes on the heels of news in 2021 that Shawnee County’s Hispanic population grew by nearly 24% between 2010 and 2020, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
“I am so proud of the team at Visit Topeka for making this Spanish-language city guide possible,” said Sean Dixon, Visit Topeka president. “I can’t think of another community in the Midwest that has accomplished this feat. It affirms Topeka and Shawnee County’s commitment to becoming an even more inclusive community and reflects one way cities like ours can adapt to meet the needs of diverse populations in our region and beyond.”
Driving home the value of inclusivity is the fact that the U.S. has the second-largest population of Spanish speakers in the world — “and the way the data is trending,” writes Sonia Thompson for Forbes, “by 2050, one in three people in the U.S. will speak Spanish.”
“I am proud to see Visit Topeka and GO Topeka embrace the Spanish-speaking community with this new city guide,” said Lalo Muñoz, executive director of El Centro, a social-service organization committed to serving immigrant communities in Shawnee County. “There are over 50 million Spanish speakers in the United States, and Kansas is one of the states that leads the country in Latino residents. Engaging native Spanish speakers in their own language shows our community is committed to embracing their culture, heritage and way of life. The latest city guide will introduce Shawnee County to new visitors and potential residents looking to build a better life for their families. It will also be a valuable resource for Spanish-speaking Topekans who want to get out and explore this city as they make it their home.”
“As we look to grow and diversify our workforce, attracting talent of all backgrounds is crucial,” said Trina Goss, director of business and talent initiatives for GO Topeka. “Having this Spanish-language city guide allows us to reach a different demographic, driving our community’s economic development in a more holistic, inclusive way.”
