Iowa tourism accounted for $8 billion in spending in 2015, the second year in a row, according to the U.S. Travel Association. State tax receipts from travel were up 25 percent at $466.7 million last year. The industry supported 67,400 jobs, or 4.2 percent of total state nonfarm employment. “Lower gas prices in 2015 helped draw in more travelers who significantly increased their spending on lodging, restaurants, shopping and entertainment,” said Shawna Lode, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. Read the full report.