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Tourism generated $4B for city last year, study says

IBJ Staff
December 6, 2012
Keywords
Arts & Entertainment, etc., Conventions, Economic Development, Event Planners, Government & Economic Development, Hotels, ICVA, Tourism & Hospitality, Tourism Groups, Travel, Visitor Spending
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A new study says the tourism industry in Indianapolis had an economic impact of nearly $4 billion in 2011, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.

The study was released Thursday by Visit Indy, the city agency formerly known as the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

The study also shows the number of visitors—defined as someone who stayed overnight or traveled more than 50 miles to the city—grew 10 percent last year, to 22 million.

Full-time equivalent jobs supported by tourism grew from 69,500 in 2010 to 75,000 last year, the study said.

A breakdown of the $3.95 billion in economic impact shows 66 percent was generated by leisure visitors while 34 percent was generated by business, convention and meeting visitors.

“Tourism is a core driver of central Indiana’s economy, supporting a record number of jobs and generating $632 million in local and state taxes,” said Leonard Hoops, CEO of Visit Indy.

The study was conducted by West Chester, Pa.-based Rockport Analytics LLC and McLean, Va.-based D.K. Shifflet & Associates.
 

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  • What
    Free lunchJanuary 9, 2013 12:26 AM
    Where is the link to the study? What is the breakdown of these purported 70,000+ jobs? Arts, recreation and entertainment make up 1.7% of the county jobs (10,947, with an average wage of $52,552) and accommodation and food service make up 7.1% of the jobs (46,351 jobs 2.6% of the income at $22,259 average)and the retail trade has 8.3% of the jobs (54,110) and 4.6% of the income (average wage of $34,404). Look it up at Stats Indiana. Obviously, there is no way that the majority of the accommodation and food trade; arts, entertainment and recreation jobs and retail trade jobs can be attributed to this Debt-based Ponzi industry. So, again, what is the makeup of the 70,000 jobs that they attribute to this "industry" subsidized by more than a billion dollars of taxpayer money? Where is the raw data?
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  • Lies, Damn Lies and "Tourism Studies"
    FredDecember 7, 2012 9:10 AM
    Kevin, You start at the premise that this study is somehow accurate. Why? These studies are always a joke, done by tourism advocates not by academics who don't have any interest in lying about what they're studying. I love how they always claim ridiculous returns on money...invest $1 in tourism and you get $20 in return...stupid claims like that. FYI, most of those 75,000 jobs are not even in the downtown area...they're in Central Indiana. How do they know they're related to tourism? They don't. Lies...nothing but. It's a shame that a publication like IBJ would give Visit Indy a forum to publish spin from a bogus study.
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  • Reputation Requires Growth
    Kevin GazaDecember 6, 2012 8:07 PM
    75,000 jobs at $50,000 per year equates to $4B. What that tells me is Tourism as an industry that works--it is giving back and not just taking. It is working. What is working you invest in, not denigrate. We should be asking, "What can we do next to grow the industry?" You cantt save your way to a fortune. You have to take risk, you have to invest. Yes, there needs to be oversight and accountability, but to think of stopping this industry because you ahve to spend money is crazy talk.
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  • Mindless boosterism
    John Grady ColeDecember 6, 2012 6:42 PM
    This is supposed to be a business publication, so here's a thought: Next time, instead of engaging in mindless boosterism that is lapped up by idiots, give us the whole picture. How much did tourism COST central Indiana? If it is so lucrative, why are taxpayers forced to pay for convention facilities? What is the population base this was calculated over? What is the per capita benefit? I know the answers because I've read study after study that says tourism is a NET MONEY LOSER for most metropolitan areas. The city of Indianapolis is unraveling like a cheap suit. Infrastructure is shot. 10,000 houses remain empty. You may be fooling the fools, but everyone with a brain understands very clearly that this city is nowhere and falling fast.
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  • Yeah, Right
    JerryDecember 6, 2012 4:59 PM
    Another one of these bogus studies that is going to be used to try to get taxpayers to pony up more money. Isn't this the same group that produced the report indicating the impact of hosting a Super Bowl is three times higher than what every othe estimate is.
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  • Hmm...
    madeofpizzaDecember 6, 2012 4:06 PM
    So "Visit Indy" won't need any money for years too come.
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  • New Hotel
    dizzleDecember 6, 2012 12:38 PM
    Great! Now build a new hotel and get another Super Bowl. It could also be a piece to attracting a political convention.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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    1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

    2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

    3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

    4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

    5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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