Spencer County Tourism Ranks 7th in State
By: Web Producer
Updated: June 26, 2008
News Release:
From: Spencer County Visitors Bureau
Spencer County Tourism Ranks 7th in State
LINCOLN CITY, IND. – Although Spencer County ranks 72nd in Indiana in population, it is number seven in the state in tourism spending.
According to Spencer County’s first Tourism Economic Impact Study, released today, visitor spending generates 14 percent of all sales and 32 percent of all employment in Spencer County.
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.
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.
“Data from this study clearly indicates the remarkable economic impact of our local tourism industry,” says Melissa Miller, Executive Director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. “It should 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 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.
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.
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 per trip 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.
