Kokomo touts increased tourism numbers
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Officials in Kokomo say tourism spending has increased close to 20% in the past few years, according to a new study.
The study was commissioned by the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau and conducted by Certec Inc. comparing data from 2019 to data collected in 2023 using business surveys and on-site checks.
In total, Certec concluded Howard County saw a 17.3% increase in the economic impact from visitors to the Kokomo area. In 2023, the study found, visitors spent $181 million, up from $107 million in direct expenditures five years ago.
In terms of total visitors, Howard County saw 1.7 million destination and pass-through visitors in 2023, up from 1.3 million in 2019, the study showed. Sherry Matlock, manager of the city’s visitors bureau, said much of the increase comes from an uptick in youth sports events in the region.
“This new influx of sports-related tourism has had a direct impact on the local economy, spurring growth across many sectors, including restaurants, retail and lodging,” said Matlock. “With business travel also on the rise, new hotels have opened recently in Kokomo, with more under construction to meet the growing demand.”
One major project local officials hope generates even more tourism dollars is a $50 million hotel and convention center that broke ground last month. The development will include a 55,000-square-foot conference center designed to accommodate events with up to 1,000 guests, as well as a 108-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel that will include restaurant space.
Beyond the dollars spent, the survey estimates the added tourism created a little over 300 tourism-specific jobs.
The visitor’s bureau said it commissions studies every three to four years to track tourism trends.