A total of 14 percent of all sales and 32 percent of all employment in Spencer County are a direct result of visitor spending, according to the study. 85 percent of visitors go to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

Press Release

LINCOLN CITY, IND. – As the busy Fourth of July weekend travel holiday approaches, Spencer County, Ind., is taking a look at the impact tourists have on its local economy.

Home to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home, and the world's only Santa Claus Post Office, Spencer County is ranked seventh in tourism spending per capita, out of Indiana's 92 counties. That is higher than its neighboring counties including Dubois, Perry, and Warrick, the study showed.

The results of Spencer County's first Tourism Economic Impact Study were explained Thursday, June 26, at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. This study was conducted during the past year as a joint project of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau and The University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Research and College of Business.

A total of 14 percent of all sales and 32 percent of all employment in Spencer County, Ind., are a direct result of visitor spending, according to the study.

Visitors to Spencer County had a sales impact of $161.7 million and were responsible for more than 3,300 jobs during 2007, according to the study.

"I hope the results of this study will serve as a useful tool to help local and state government officials understand the role of our tourism industry here," said Melissa Miller, Executive Director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. "It also will help us to attract new tourism-related businesses to Spencer County."

Visitors surveyed said more restaurants and additional lodging options would improve their stay in Spencer County.

"We agree and hope this study will help developers to see that Spencer County offers a great return on their investments and encourage them to build additional facilities to meet the needs of our growing numbers of visitors," Miller said.

Fun Facts About Spencer County’s Visitors

40 percent of visitors are under age 17. People age 25 to 44 make up 31 percent of visitors to Spencer County.

48 percent of visitors reside within Indiana. Large percentages also come from Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

49 percent of visitors stayed over night

Visitors spent an average of $237 on lodging during their trip

Visitors spending per person amounted to: $22 on food, $51 on activities, $10 on souvenirs and $41 on gasoline.

84 percent of visitors were very likely to come back and 45 percent of those surveyed had been to Spencer County 2 to 5 times.

The Spencer County Visitors Bureau provides travel information to visitors and media about Spencer County, Indiana, the site of Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home, the world famous Santa Claus Post Office, and the world’s first theme park, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. To request a free Spencer County Visitors Guide, visit www.LegendaryPlaces.org or call 888-444-9252.

Source: The Spencer County Visitors Bureau