SoWal Tourism = $1 BILLION

[SoWalSally]

New economic impact study reveals that tourism is a billion dollar industry


During the Walton County Board of County Commission meeting, the Walton County Tourist Development Council unveiled the findings of the recent economic impact study.
Prepared by the Strategic Planning Group Inc. in Jacksonville, the economic analysis reports the impact of tourism on Walton County. The report updates and expands upon the earlier report released by the Haas Center for Business Research & Economic Development in 2004.
?We have worked hard over the last three years to evolve the brand and enhance our online marketing tactics and it appears our efforts are really paying off,? said Kriss Titus, executive director for the Walton County TDC. ?We were impressed with the findings, especially the increase in visitor spending, which exceeded our expectations.?
The report revealed that visitor spending is more than $1 billion annually ? up from $684.9 million that was reported in 2004. These findings were also supported by the annual visitor tracking study conducted by Majority Opinion research, which reported that average spending per party increased by $324 in 2006-2007 over the previous year.
Spending in turn contributes to county tax revenues. Nearly $130.9 million is generated in annual tax revenues, of which $93.8 million goes to general county revenues and $37 million directly supports the school district.
?We know through research that nine out of 10 of our visitors are repeat visitors,? Titus continued. ?It is encouraging knowing our regular visitors are coming back year after year and are investing even more in our local economy. It is not necessarily about attracting more visitors but inviting our regular visitors back to experience new seasons and new activities.?
The study also tracked jobs generated by tourism. More than 12,000 jobs in Walton County are directly or indirectly related to the tourism industry, generating $304 million in income and wages annually ? up from $257 million three years ago.
Tourism plays a key role as an economic engine for the entire county, spurring extraordinary growth in personal, business and professional services and in retail trade over the past two decades. More importantly, the economic impact of tourism is not just felt by those who directly work in the tourism industry, but widely distributed throughout Walton County, affecting almost every industry and household in the region.

 

[jlweathers]

any links to this report?

thanks

 

[SHELLY]

Tourism plays a key role as an economic engine for the entire county, spurring extraordinary growth in personal, business and professional services and in retail trade over the past two decades. More importantly, the economic impact of tourism is not just felt by those who directly work in the tourism industry, but widely distributed throughout Walton County, affecting almost every industry and household in the region.

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners need to have this blown-up and pasted in front of them as going forward they are going to hear more and more disputes about "private beaches."

.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners need to have this blown-up and pasted in front of them as going forward they are going to hear more and more disputes about "private beaches."

.

You know just what to say!

 

[Lady D]

My husband and I both have been reading on here on and off over the past two years locals comments about tourists. A lot of it involves them complaining about tourists and their lack of driving skills, in other words, not knowing their way around down there, and of course, they are not going to, they don't live there. Complaints about them riding bikes along the road instead of the bike path, etc. Not to mention the one local complaining about the tourists buying up all the gasoline.

And if the county is bringing in $1 billion annually, that is kind of biting the hand that feeds you isn't it???

We stay in Inlet Beach but we spend our dollars in Bay County. I like shopping in all the beach souvenir stores like Alvins, Shipwreck Ltd, Sunsations, etc., and I do not believe those are prevalent anywhere along 30A. Destin and Fort Walton Beach and PC Beach are the only place that has those that I am aware of. And they don't mind people riding scooters around which is another thing we like to do. From what I understand scooter riding is frowned upon along 30A.

We enjoy the things PC Beach has to offer.

 

[Mango]

My husband and I both have been reading on here on and off over the past two years locals comments about tourists. A lot of it involves them complaining about tourists and their lack of driving skills, in other words, not knowing their way around down there, and of course, they are not going to, they don't live there. Complaints about them riding bikes along the road instead of the bike path, etc. Not to mention the one local complaining about the tourists buying up all the gasoline.

And if the county is bringing in $1 billion annually, that is kind of biting the hand that feeds you isn't it???

We stay in Inlet Beach but we spend our dollars in Bay County. I like shopping in all the beach souvenir stores like Alvins, Shipwreck Ltd, Sunsations, etc., and I do not believe those are prevalent anywhere along 30A. Destin and Fort Walton Beach and PC Beach are the only place that has those that I am aware of. And they don't mind people riding scooters around which is another thing we like to do. From what I understand scooter riding is frowned upon along 30A.

We enjoy the things PC Beach has to offer.

So what point are you trying to make?

 

[Lady D]

So what point are you trying to make?

Two years ago when there was all the hurricane damage and there was a worry about gasoline being available this one local on the board was bashing the tourists very badly, making comments that there was not going to be gas for the locals due to all the tourists being there. He also made the statement that the tourists needed to go back home.

My husband got on there then and made the comment that it is the tourist dollars that keep the place going. That's in poor taste for a local to make that kind of comment about the tourists that are bringing all the dollars to the area.

He obviously didn't think very highly of the tourists. There are certain things we like to do that is not available over along 30A. The drive down 30A is very scenic though and we enjoy that.

I'm not knocking anyone that lives along there. We would love to be able to live at the beach. Most on this board are very nice and decent. When I made the comment about biting the hand that feeds you I was referring to that one instance.

 

[LightWorker]

Two years ago when there was all the hurricane damage and there was a worry about gasoline being available this one local on the board was bashing the tourists very badly, making comments that there was not going to be gas for the locals due to all the tourists being there. He also made the statement that the tourists needed to go back home.

My husband got on there then and made the comment that it is the tourist dollars that keep the place going. That's in poor taste for a local to make that kind of comment about the tourists that are bringing all the dollars to the area.

He obviously didn't think very highly of the tourists. There are certain things we like to do that is not available over along 30A. The drive down 30A is very scenic though and we enjoy that.

Most of the locals welcome the tourists. You will always hear someone complaining about something. I guess it has to do with the day that person is having or maybe they just need to complain.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Most of the locals welcome the tourists. You will always hear someone complaining about something. I guess it has to do with the day that person is having or maybe they just need to complain.

I think that is the important point. How many people have you ever met who are genuinely happy? Most people I know that complain about tourists want things their way so whenever it isn't their way it is wrong. Plus, it gets back to the age old question of when you close the borders and say its perfect so we don't want anyone else in. As with all people, there and good and bad, and with tourists there are good and bad.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I'll reply as I have an opinion, too. I don't limit my complaints to tourists. If you clog the isles in the grocery store, drive recklessly on our highways, or try to run me over while I'm riding my bikes, I'll share my thoughts with you, no matter where you call home. As for scooters on 30A, I'm all for people riding scooters, as long as they know how to ride them. The average person renting a scooter doesn't realize they they should not be riding one.

My husband and I both have been reading on here on and off over the past two years locals comments about tourists. A lot of it involves them complaining about tourists and their lack of driving skills, in other words, not knowing their way around down there, and of course, they are not going to, they don't live there. Complaints about them riding bikes along the road instead of the bike path, etc. Not to mention the one local complaining about the tourists buying up all the gasoline.

And if the county is bringing in $1 billion annually, that is kind of biting the hand that feeds you isn't it???

We stay in Inlet Beach but we spend our dollars in Bay County. I like shopping in all the beach souvenir stores like Alvins, Shipwreck Ltd, Sunsations, etc., and I do not believe those are prevalent anywhere along 30A. Destin and Fort Walton Beach and PC Beach are the only place that has those that I am aware of. And they don't mind people riding scooters around which is another thing we like to do. From what I understand scooter riding is frowned upon along 30A.

We enjoy the things PC Beach has to offer.