Hendricks County Announces Tourism Impact
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowVisit Hendricks County has released results of an economic impact study. Officials say visitor spending in 2013 resulted in nearly $135 million, supporting around 4,800 jobs.
February 12, 2015
News Release
DANVILLE, Ind. – Whether it's enjoying a meal at Perillo's Pizzeria, running through a corn maze at Beasley's Orchard, floating on a tube at Splash Island Family Waterpark or experiencing high-speed action at Lucas Oil Raceway, tourism continues to be big business in Hendricks County as a recent study reports growth of nearly 2 percent in visitor spending in 2013 compared to 2012.
The new economic impact report by Rockport Analytics, an independent market research and consulting company, mirrored results statewide that tourism is not only healthy at every level but is thriving.
“We've been measuring tourism spending since 2001, and each year we've seen notable growth correlating to our efforts in increasing the awareness of Hendricks County as a travel destination,” said Jaime Bohler Smith, Visit Hendricks County's Executive Director. “These successes mean so much more than increased visitors. Revenues generated from tourism serve as an economic driver that helps our businesses and improves the quality of life of every resident.”
Visitors spent $228.9 million in 2013 resulting in $133.4 million in direct economic impact that supported 4,782 jobs. Of the 92 Indiana counties, Hendricks ranked 9th in tourism spending. Statewide, tourism supports more than 187,000 jobs, contributes $10.3 billion in revenue to Indiana businesses and is the sixth largest industry in the state, excluding government. Rockport Analytics used data from 2013; the most recent year complete data was available.
The 1.4 percent growth of tourism spending in Hendricks County from 2012 to 2013 is even more astounding considering 2012 numbers were buoyed by the Super Bowl.
Some other key Hendricks County tourism facts and figures at a glance, according to the study:
– Of the tourism dollars spent, food & beverages accounted for 33 percent followed closely by shopping at 27 percent and recreation and entertainment at 19 percent.
– 82 cents of every tourism dollar spent in Hendricks County stayed local.
– Visitors generated $56 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
– Tourism was the 7th largest industry in Hendricks County, excluding government.
– If Hendricks County tourism did not exist, each of the 52,368 households in the county would have to pay an additional $614 a year in taxes to maintain current state and local tax levels.
The study was commissioned by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and Visit Hendricks County and conducted by Rockport Analytics, which specializes in economic impact and feasibility studies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The methodology used by the study is in accordance with industry best practices and aligns economic impact data at the state and local level with rigorous methodological standards that are recognized as the highest in the industry.
For more information or to see the report in its entirety, go online to the Visit Hendricks County website at www.VisitHendricksCounty.com, choose the About Us tab and click on Industry Information.
Source: Visit Hendricks County