CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -
A comprehensive study has by Cincinnati USA and Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network (RTN) has revealed the impact of travel and tourism in the regional economy.
The
findings – based on statistics from the 2011 calendar year – revealed that the
industry is a significant contributor to the Cincinnati USA economy in terms of
total output, employment, income and state and local tax revenues generated.
More than just transportation and lodging, the industry generates visitor
spending at restaurants, shops, attractions, parks and other venues. Study
highlights include:
- Cincinnati
USA (15 counties across three states) hosted a total of 22.7 million
visitors, including both overnight and day person trips.
- Visitors
to Cincinnati USA spent $4.1 billion in 2011, up 4.3% over 2010.
- Nearly
94,000 jobs were sustained by visitors in 2011, with total income of $2.7
billion. Employment in tourism grew 2.3% last year.
- Tourism-driven
state and local tax proceeds of $551 million helped offset the average
household tax burden by $644 per household.
- Nearly
85% (19 million) of visitors came for leisure, and about half of these
visitors came to visit friends and relatives.
- About
half of all overnight visitors live in the Midwest, and another 27% come
from the Southern United States. Top states of origin are Ohio (32%),
Kentucky (12%), Indiana (9%) and Michigan (7%).
- Approximately
9.9% (1 in 10) of all jobs in the region are sustained by tourism.
- For
every 10 direct jobs in tourism, four indirect jobs are generated
elsewhere in the economy.
"The
positive results validate that our unique model in Cincinnati USA is working
very well," said Linda Antus, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA RTN,
which commissioned Tourism Economics to conduct the study. "The model relies on
a deep commitment to collaboration among our government, hospitality and
corporate leaders, and the community continues to embrace that philosophy full
force."
The
RTN was created in 2005 as a partnership between the Cincinnati USA Convention
& Visitors Bureau and the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors
Bureau to focus exclusively on leisure travel and promote the region's hotels,
restaurants, shops, attractions and entertainment experiences. Results of the
study show that as the region continues to invest in economic development, the
travel and tourism industry is effectively promoting and building on those
successes to deliver strong results in both leisure and business travel.
The
study commissioned by Cincinnati USA was based on a survey of visitors to the
region conducted by Tourism Economics in conjunction with Longwoods
International. Sample size for the study was 2,200 with a margin of error of
+/- 3%. Longwoods began tracking American travel behavior in 1985, and conducts
syndicated visitor research with two million consumer panelists each year.
To view the summary impact report, click here.
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