Report finds Indiana tourism industry thriving
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WAVE) - Whether visiting Lanier Mansion in Madison or the first state capitol site in Corydon, tourism in the Hoosier state continues to grow as people in state and around the world come to visit Indiana.
For the seventh consecutive year, Indiana tourism continued to grow. Visit Indiana’s 2017 report finds visitors to the Hoosier state reached a record 80 million. That’s more than one million people coming in over the previous year, with business trips leading the charge in growth.
Visitor spending hit a whopping $12.7-billion, $3.5 billion of that coming from food and beverage alone.
Day trips are vital to the tourist economy, bringing in just under 49 million people to destinations around Indiana and making up more than 60 percent of the total volume of visitors. Tourism also supports around 200-thousand local jobs and income from visits generates 2.5 billion dollars toward local, state and federal taxes.
In southern Indiana, popular spots like Huber’s Orchard and Winery bring in families and fans of local wine. Around New Albany and Jeffersonville, the rich riverfront history and local dining make for popular spots for locals and visitors alike.
Go Southern Indiana reports tourism is a major industry for Clark and Floyd Counties, bringing in millions of dollars to the local economy. For every visitor’s dollar spent in Clark and Floyd Counties, an estimated $.79 stays local in the economy.
With more businesses and restaurants moving into the downtown communities in New Albany and Jeffersonville, the interest in visiting Indiana is likely to grow.
The state’s tourism task force recently completed a report outlining goals on how to drive tourism growth and better market the Hoosier state as a destination for future travelers, learning by example from other states.
That report will be submitted to the general assembly for review.
2019 is expected to be another strong year for tourism, especially as gas prices remain low. Indiana Business Report is projecting an economic growth of over three percent for next year.
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