Southeast Indiana tourism continues to recover
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Aerial view of Jeffersonville with Louisville, KY serving as a backdrop. (photo courtesy: SoIN Tourism)
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A family enjoying a bike ride along the Ohio River near Jeffersonville. (photo courtesy: SoIN Tourism)
Tourism officials in southeast Indiana say the region enjoyed a 21% increase in visitor spending from 2020 to 2021. SoIN Tourism, the marketing organization for Clark and Floyd counties, says visitors spent $414 million on lodging, food and beverage, entertainment and shopping, compared to $340 million the previous year.
The organization says an increase in visitor spending, as well as the job growth for the tourism industry, reveals the sector not only rebounded following months of COVID shutdowns, but is growing.
SoIN Tourism says if not for the tourism revenue, households in Clark and Floyd counties would need to pay an additional $601 per year in taxes to maintain the current level of government services.
The study, which was conducted by Rockport Analytics, shows tourism is playing a bigger role in county employment. It now ranks as the 8th largest industry for employment, after having sat in the 9th position for several years.
Rockport says travelers support more than 5,700 jobs in the two-county region, producing $138 million in wages.