Visitor spending in Indiana totaled $12.7 billion in 2017, according to a new study released Dec. 28 by the office Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.
“Now in its seventh year of continued growth, the tourism industry has set a record $12.7 billion in visitor spending (in 2017),” Crouch said. Visitor spending in 2017 was 3.7 percent higher than in 2016, the state said.
Report highlights show:
- The number of visitors to Indiana destinations increased to 80 million;
- Total visitor spending reached $12.7B;
- Overnight visits rose to 31.2 million;
- Spending per visitor rose to $158;
- Visitor spending added $9.8B to the state’s gross domestic product;
- Out of each dollar spent, $0.72 stays in Indiana;
- Tourism generated $1.4B in state and local taxes;
- Indiana tourism supported 199,830 full-time jobs; and
- Hoosier households saved an average of $561.
The study was commissioned by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and conducted by Rockport Analytics, an independent market research and consulting company that specializes in economic impact and feasibility studies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
The study used data on Indiana visitor spending derived from multiple sources including Longwoods International, Reach Market Planning and the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel & Tourism Office. It was then reconciled with Bureau of Labor Statistics reported employment data, Indiana Department of Revenue reported tax receipts and secondary sources such as Smith Travel Research, according to the state.
