Highlighting the "remarkable growth" of the Church during the past decade, President Gordon B. Hinckley told members of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor's Bureau Jan. 30 that interest in Salt Lake City and Utah will increase as the Church continues to grow.

President Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, received the Tourism Achievement Award from the bureau at its annual meeting, attended by hundreds of leaders in the local tourism industry, as well as city and state officials.The award recognizes the Church, Temple Square, the Tabernacle Choir, the Family History Library and Promised Valley Playhouse for outstanding contributions to the local tourism industry.

"The Church has always been a part of this community and I hope will always be a part of this community," President Hinckley remarked. "I should like to say that as the Church grows, so will there be increased interest in Salt Lake City and the state of Utah. That growth is a rather remarkable thing and its impact is being felt and will be felt in the matter of visitors coming to this community."

He cited a survey taken at Temple Square, where a record number of more than 4 million visitors was logged last year. The survey showed that some 24 percent of visitors to the Square are from 26 foreign countries and that 72 percent are non-LDS.

"You may be assured that as the Church in the past has tried to make this community attractive, inviting, challenging and interesting to people across the nation and world, so it will continue to do so in increasing measure. Crowds at Temple Square have reached the point where they can't be accommodated during certain periods of the year, and other resources will be added."

He indicated that when people everywhere see a photo of the Salt Lake Temple, hear the Tabernacle Choir, or seek to learn of their family roots, an immediate interest is created in Salt Lake City.

At the outset of his remarks, President Hinckley spoke regarding the Hotel Utah, which was closed in 1987: "I spent a good part of Friday (Jan.27) with the architects working on the Hotel Utah building, and I give you assurance that whenthat renovation is completed, there will be more reason for visitors to come to Salt Lake City. I feel satisfied that notwithstanding all the criticism we've taken, the people of this community will be pleased and grateful for what will occur on that corner."

Commenting on the size of the plaque given to him by Richard E. Davis, bureau president, President Hinckley joked, "We have another reason for retaining the Hotel Utah, where we will have a wall for such plaques as this!"

President Hinckley said the Church deeply appreciates the recognition. He expressed gratitude for the service given by those responsible for Temple Square, the Tabernacle Choir, the Family History Library, the Promised Valley Playhouse, "and the other facilities which are maintained and open to the public."

In bestowing the award, Davis noted that Temple Square is Utah's top tourist attraction, that the choir is "Salt Lake City's roving ambassador," that the Playhouse has attracted visitors and renowned musicians from several countries through its International Summer Vocal School, and that the library helps more than 2,500 people each day search family ties in the largest collection in the world of records of deceased persons.