From the Indianapolis Business Journal:
A new study says the tourism industry in Indianapolis had an economic impact of nearly $4 billion in 2011, a 10-percent increase from the previous year.
The study was released Thursday by Visit Indy, the city agency formerly known as the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.
The study also shows the number of visitors—defined as someone who stayed overnight or traveled more than 50 miles to the city—grew 10 percent last year, to 22 million.
Full-time equivalent jobs supported by tourism grew from 69,500 in 2010 to 75,000 last year, the study said.
A breakdown of the $3.95 billion in economic impact shows 66 percent was generated by leisure visitors while 34 percent was generated by business, convention and meeting visitors.
“Tourism is a core driver of central Indiana’s economy, supporting a record number of jobs and generating $632 million in local and state taxes,” said Leonard Hoops, CEO of Visit Indy.
The study was conducted by West Chester, Pa.-based Rockport Analytics LLC and McLean, Va.-based D.K. Shifflet & Associates.
http://www.ibj.com/tourism-generated-4b-for-city-in-2011-study-says/PARAMS/article/38328
