Tourism spending climbs to record levels in Walla Walla County
This article originally appeared in the Walla Walla Valley Business Monthy.
According to a study released by the Washington State Office of Trade and Economic Development, visitors to Walla Walla County spent a record $71.6 million dollars in 2005. Visitor spending grew by $6.5 million from 2004.
The numbers are based on the Washington State County Travel Impacts 1991-2005 study conducted by Dean Runyan Associates.
"Tourism numbers are up across the board" Tourism Walla Walla President and CEO Michael Davidson said. "Since 2000 yearly tourism expenditures in Walla Walla County have grown by more than $20 million dollars. Visitors' account for more than seven percent of all state and local total tax dollars generated in the county; with an impressive 11.6 percent of all local sales, and lodging tax, dollars that stay right here in Walla Walla to support local services."
According to the TWW news release, Walla Walla welcomed a record 220,000 overnight visitors in 2005, who spent on average three days staying in our hotels and bed & breakfasts, visiting local attractions, eating in local restaurants, and shopping in local stores.
Patrick Keef Chairman of the Board of Tourism Walla Walla, adds, "The 170,000 day trippers who visited the Valley in 2005 spent on average $83 during their visit while those staying overnight on average spent $117 per day."
A breakdown of visitors' expenditures shows that in 2005 tourists spent:
- $11.8 million on Lodging
- $20.3 million on Food and Beverage Services
- $3.8 million on Food Stores
- $13.4 million on Ground Transportation & Motor Fuel
- $10.6 million on Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
- $11 million on Retail Sales
- $200,000 on Air Transportation (visitor only)
"Those who stayed at hotels and motels accounted for more than half ($37.1 million) of total visitor spending in Walla Walla in 2005" according to Kyle Mussman. General Manager & Founder of the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center. "As this study shows visitors who stay overnight spend on average 40% more than day trippers."
A record number of 138,270 room nights were sold in 2005 up 6.5% from 2004.
Dave Warkentin, Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce executive, said, "Tourism created 100 new local jobs in 2005, generating more than $19.7 million in salaries up from $17.9 million in 2004."
"Tourism is an export industry pumping new dollars into our local economy," Warkentin said. "As our tourism industry grows, so will our economy creating new jobs in and around the hospitality industry."
The complete study can be viewed at www.tourismwallawalla.com/research/WACountyImp05.pdf.
