A new study released by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDCC) shows the Indiana tourism industry’s growing momentum and continued positive impact on the local economy.
“Local tourism has continued to be a catalyst for economic growth at the county level,” said IDDC Secretary and CEO Elaine Bedel. “As visitors explore our unique communities, they not only experience our genuine Hoosier hospitality, they also contribute significantly to the prosperity of the local businesses they visit. From quaint main streets to rich cultural attractions, local tourism enriches our communities and creates a sense of pride that ripples throughout the state.”
Here is the impact for Henry County (report from 2022):
- Visitor Spending $39.5M
- Total Economic Impact $18.1M
- Jobs Supported 484
- Taxed Generated $3.5M (State and Local)
“Tourism and visitor spending contribute to our local economy and support our county’s quality of place. Often, what attracts the visitor is good for the resident and vice versa. There is so much growth opportunity in the tourism sector,” notes the President of the New Castle Henry County Economic Development Corporation, Corey Murphy.
Here are some of the highlights of the state report:
- The number of visitors to Indiana destinations increased to 80.8M;
- Total visitor spending surpassed $15B;
- The average visitor spend per trip increased to $188/trip;
- Indiana tourism generated $2.8B in total taxes;
- Indiana’s tourism industry supported 200,000 full and part-time jobs, representing a 12% increase;
- Tourism jobs in Indiana paid $6B in wages and salaries, growing 15.8%;
- The total economic impact of Indiana’s tourism industry rose to $9.9B.
The study was commissioned by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation and conducted by Rockport Analytics, an independent market research and consulting company specializing in economic impact and feasibility studies for the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. The methodology employed by this study is in accordance with industry best practices and aligns economic impact data at the state and local levels with rigorous methodological standards that are recognized as the highest in the industry.
The study used data on Indiana visitor spending from multiple sources, including Longwoods International, Reach Market Planning, and the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel & Tourism Office. It was then reconciled with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ reported employment data, the Indiana Department of Revenue’s reported tax receipts, and secondary sources such as Smith Travel Research.
A link to the report can be found at VisitIndiana.com.
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