The state saw $10.3 billion come in from tourism during 2013, according to a report released by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.
Tourism was the sixth largest industry in Indiana in 2013, supporting more than 187,000, or around 4.7 percent, of the state’s jobs, according to the report.
Tourism not only brought dollars to the state, but also to Bloomington.
“Tourism is huge for the city,” Mike McAfee, director of Visit Bloomington, said.
McAfee, who has been in the industry for 20 years and in Bloomington for eight of them, spoke about why tourism was so important in Bloomington.
“IU is the most recession-tough attraction in the state of Indiana,” McAfee said. “We always call IU our Disneyland.”
Bloomington brings in tourism dollars through university events, sporting competitions, conferences and leisure trips, McAfee said.
“Spending on a Big Ten football game is $3 to 5 million,” McAfee said, “The IU-related events have a big impact.”
Sporting events separate from IU were also a major source of tourism dollars, McAfee said.
“We’re a big home for amateur sporting tournaments,” McAfee said.
Total sales generated by tourism in 2013 for Monroe County were more than $300 million, according to a study conducted by Visit Bloomington.
The study was performed in conjunction with IU professor Shu Cole of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies of the School of Public Health and analyzed data from several surveys.
The future for Bloomington tourism looks good, McAfee said.
“We’re promoting Bloomington to people of all types,” McAfee said. “We continue to see high growth.”
The overall state picture was healthy as well.
“The economic impact report for 2013 shows that Indiana’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry continues to grow and have a significant impact on the Hoosier economy,” Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann said in a press release.
Tourism in the state grew from 2012, a year that included a boost in spending from Super Bowl XLVI, marking significant growth.
“Tourism is big business in Indiana and every Hoosier household benefits from a robust tourism economy,” Mark Newman, IOTD’s executive director, said in the press release.
The report was conducted by Rockport Analytics, a research company, and was compiled with data from national, state, local and commercial sources, according to the press release.
The report defined tourism as an overnight stay or a trip that is greater than 50 miles away, according to the press release.
Despite popular opinion, the money says there is more than corn in ?Indiana.
“People ask, ‘Is Bloomington a place I want to live and work and play?’ and the answer is always a pleasant surprise,” McAfee said.
