Tourism has direct impact on local economy

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May 12, 2012

Tourism has direct impact on local economy

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Sat May 12, 2012, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — One jobs sector brought in nearly $250,000 in tax revenue to Milledgeville and Baldwin County last year, but it may not have derived from the first area that comes to mind. Travel and tourism raked in more than $248,000 in local tax revenue last year, according to the Milledgeville Convention & Visitors Bureau. When you consider also the number of jobs that rely on the travel and tourism industry — hotels, motels, the CVB, local museums and gift shops that thrive on out-of-town visitors, gas stations and retail merchandising stores — one may realize this sector’s impact.

This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, which touts the value of travel and tourism and its direct impact on the economy. Statewide, tourism resulted in more than $20 million in direct expenditures and has created 241,500 jobs and generated more than $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. Each Georgia household pays $518 less in local and state taxes due to direct tourism expenditures, according to CVB data.

Each year, the CVB also records the number of out of state and international visitors that make stops in Milledgeville, with visitors stopping through from around the globe. Each time someone pays a visit to the Old Governor’s Mansion, Lockerly, Georgia’s Old Capital Museum, the Georgia College museums, Lake Sinclair, Andalusia, or any of the other major attractions in the area, they support the local economy not only through visiting the local sights, but also when they sleep, dine and shop. That supports the livelihoods of restaurant owners and their staffs, motel managers, local retailers, gas station attendants, cashiers and numerous others. Consider also the estimate that every dollar brought in locally reportedly exchanges hands six to seven times. Events are also a tremendous draw and revenue generators that boost the local economy. Just think of the thousands who come into town every October for the annual Deep Roots Music Festival or the hundreds of participants in the upcoming Old Capital Triathlon who will bring in family members and supporters who will likely stick around Milledgeville through Memorial Day weekend.

According to a press release on National Tourism Week, travel and tourism generated $1.9 trillion in economic output for the U.S. economy in 2011. The industry also represents one of America’s largest employers, supporting 14.4 million jobs (including 7.5 million directly in the travel industry and 6.9 million in other industries). Direct spending by domestic and international travelers averaged $2.2 billion a day, $92.8 million an hour, $1.5 million a minute and $25,700 a second. It’s a lot of valuable spending and revenue to consider.

Perhaps all too often, those of us who live and work in this community may not see the direct tie between economic development and the travel and tourism industry because it is difficult to translate tangibly. But when we take a moment to consider the number of visitors each year, it’s easier to establish that a number of people are employed because there is tourist traffic.

The local museum district, the lake, the Oconee and the Greenway, are not only attractions to enjoy aesthetically, they’re also continuing to bring dollars into the economy — a consistent stream of dollars — making an impact on Baldwin County’s bottom line.

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