Tourism Statistics

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Travel and Tourism Industry continues to be one of our nation's most diverse and important industries. It is vital to both the economic stability and growth of the United States and contributes substantially to our cultural and social well-being. The following statistics are your link to a better understanding of this dynamic industry and provide a general overview of its local impact.

National Tourism Statistics
(For more information, visit: www.tia.org)

National Overview:

Travel and tourism is the nation's second largest service export industry, third largest retail sales industry and one of America's largest employers. It accounts for:

• $582 billion in total traveler expenditures
• $159 billion in travel-generated payroll
• $93 billion in travel-generated tax revenue
• $14 billion trade surplus
• $18 million total jobs (1 in every 8 U.S. residents)

Latest National Statistics:
(Source: Travel Industry Association of America; Travelscope®)

• Total Domestic U.S. Person Trips in 2000 - 997.6 Million
• Purpose of Trip - Leisure Travel (75%), Business Travel (14%), Combined Business/Pleasure (8%)
• Modes of Transportation Used - Auto/Truck/RV (77%), Airplane (18%), Bus (2%) Train/Ship/Other (3%)
• Top Visitor Activities: Shopping (1), Outdoor (2), Museums/Historical sites (3)
• Seasonal Travel Ranks: Winter (20%), Spring (23%), Summer (33%), Fall (24%)

Latest National Trends:

Technology continues to play an important role in travel and tourism. Currently, one in every four Americans use the Internet for travel research and reservations. By the end of 2002, the size of the online travel industry (#1 form of e-commerce) was predicted to reach $8.9 billion.

Festivals are a popular way for travelers to experience new and interesting cultures. One-fifth of U.S. adults (21%) attended a festival while on a trip away from home in the past year. This translates to 31.0 million U.S. adults.

More National Trends/Tidbits:

• By the year 2020, tourism will be the world's largest industry
• Shopping ranks as the number one activity among visitors worldwide
• Increasing numbers of consumers are doing major shopping on their vacations - items such as boats, RV's, automobiles, etc.
• More than 50 million visitors were forecasted to visit the U.S. in 2002

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all statistics were taken from various Travel Industry of America excerpts and are believed to be the most current as of 2001.

State Tourism Statistics
(For more information, visit: www.iloveny.com)

New York State Overview:

Tourism is BIG business in NYS. It ranks as one of the state's leading industries and is comprised of: major international corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and local, county, state and federal governments. These interdependent sectors combine products and services to produce travel experiences for millions of visitors each year.

Latest NYS Statistics:
(Source: NYS Dept. of Economic Development)

According to the most recent statistics, traveler expenditures in NYS were estimated at more than $37 billion. In addition,

• There are over 756,000 tourism related jobs in NYS
• NYS tourism jobs account for a payroll of $13 billion
• NYS ranks fourth among all states in terms of the total domestic travel market
• NYS is the third most popular state for overseas visitors, accounting for 24% of the international market.

Latest NYS Trends:

Canadian Travelers continue to account for the highest volume of international travel to NYS. More Canadians visit New York State (2,209,000) than any other state in the country.

More State Trends/Tidbits:

• The New York State Department of Economic Development has assigned 21 Standard Industrial Codes (categories) for measuring tourism. They are: Taxi Companies, Boat Liveries, Travel Agents/Tour Operators, Gift Shops, Boarding Houses, Lodging Houses, Motion Picture Theaters, Commercial Sports, Museums/Galleries, Bus Charters, Air Transportation, Gas Stations, RV Dealers, Camps, Car Rentals, Performing Arts, Hotels and Eating/Drinking Establishments

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all statistics were taken from various Travel Industry of America and NYS Economic Development excerpts and are believed to be the most current as of 2001.

Local Tourism Statistics
(For more information, call: 877-FUN-IN-NY)

Finger Lakes Overview:

Each year, thousands of visitors from around the world come to the Finger Lakes Region in search of the beauty and charm that characterize this area. Locally, tourism ranks as a leading industry accounting for:

• More than 14,865 jobs in the Central F.L. Region
• $167,111,822 in Tourism payroll
• Over $200 million in taxable visitor spending
• More than $8 million in state tax revenues

Latest Local Statistics:
(Source: NYS Dept. of Economic Development)

According to the most recent statistics, tourism taxable sales were estimated at more than $90,000,000 in Ontario County's Lake Country.

• Travel and Tourism accounts for more than 14% of Ontario County's overall workforce - employing nearly 5,500 workers
• Tourism provides over $61 million in total payroll
• Total tax revenue (for lodging & dining) is estimated at more than $6,000,000
• NYS revenue, generated by local tourism sales taxes, are over $3,500,000
• Ontario County's revenue, generated by local tourism sales taxes, are over $2,500,000

Latest Local Trends:

Festivals Mean Business. Local festivals and events play an important role in our local economy, generating more than $45.5 million in Economic Impact. According to the latest figures, Ontario County's year-round events accounted for $1.3 million in tax impact and over $31 million in total visitor expenditures.

More Local Trends/Tidbits:

• New York State accounts for the most visitors to Ontario County's Lake Country (46%), followed by: PA (8%), OH (6%), Canada (4%), NJ (4%), Intl (4%)
• Top activities from consumer requests: Skiing (1), Wineries (2), Hiking/Biking (3), Fishing (4), Shopping/Antiquing (5)
• If there were no tourism tax revenues, each county resident would have to pay an additional $1001 in local taxes
• For every $1.00 invested into tourism, the returns are $7.46

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all statistics were taken from various Travel Industry of America and NYS Economic Development excerpts and are believed to be the most current as of 2001.