Indiana Tourism Record Topples

(Image of the Indiana Dunes courtesy of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.)

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The state says tourism spending reached record levels last year. A report released by Governor-elect Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development suggests visitors pumped $11.5 billion into the state’s economy in 2015, up more than $900 million compared to 2014.

The figures show tourism supported more than 200,000 Indiana jobs and added $8.7 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.

Holcomb says "tourism has a tremendous impact on the Hoosier economy and this latest data shows the positive return the state receives from investment in the industry." The state says tourism was the fastest-growing economic sector in Indiana last year. More than four percent of Hoosier jobs are tied to tourism.

The department commissioned Pennsylvania-based Rockport Analytics Inc. for the study. IOTD Executive Director Mark Newman says "tourism continues to prosper and that’s valuable for the state. Every Hoosier household saved an average of $550 in 2015 because of the presence of tourism in Indiana."

You can connect to more details and the full report through the Visit Indiana website.

View an infographic from the state on tourism’s impact: