Tourism in Floyd County almost $19 million

State-wide figure is $8.5 billion

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com 

Tourism spending in Floyd County increased almost 2 percent in 2017 from the previous year, according to a report from the U.S. Travel Association.

Total tourism-related spending in Floyd County was pegged at $18.97 million last year, while tourism in the entire state generated $8.5 billion in expenditures, a jump of 3.3 percent over 2016.

The report was prepared for the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Tourism Office by the research department of the U.S. Travel Association.

It shows that Floyd County tourism was responsible for $2.95 million in payroll and 120 jobs. It generated $1.2 million in state tax receipts and $180,000 in local tax receipts.

Ginger Williams, marketing and tourism coordinator of the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “Tourism brings people to Floyd County year-round. These visitors are bringing outside dollars into our communities to support our local businesses, visit our attractions and attend our events.”

The report, “The Economic Impact of Travel on Iowa Counties” shows tourism was responsible for 69,570 jobs across the state, generating a total payroll of $1.39 billion and brought in state tax receipts of $507.1 million and local tax receipts of $124.2 million.

Nationwide, travel accounts for more than a trillion dollars in expenditures and more than 7½ million jobs domestically, the report says.

Although almost $19 million in tourism spending in Floyd County sounds like a big number, it accounts for less than one-quarter of a percent of the total state tourism spending.

Polk County, where Des Moines is located, accounts for the largest percentage by a long shot. Tourism generated $2 billion in expenditures in Polk County alone last year, according to the report, generating almost a fourth of the state total.

Next were Linn County (Cedar Rapids) with $819 million, Scott County (Davenport) with $659 million, Johnson County (Iowa City) with $412 million and Black Hawk County (Waterloo and Cedar Falls) with $369 million.

Area counties’ tourism expenditures in 2017 were:

• Cerro Gordo – $201.8 million.
• Bremer – $56.61 million.
• Franklin – $12.23 million.
• Mitchell – $11.24 million.
• Chickasaw – $10.86 million.
• Butler – $8.95 million.
• Worth – $6.89 million.
• Howard – $4.82 million.

Broken down into sectors, total Iowa tourism spending last year was:

• Auto transportation – $3.17 billion.
• Food service – $1.83 billion.
• Lodging – $1.04 billion.
• Public transportation – $966.8 million
• Entertainment and recreation – $626.4 million.
• Retail – $626.4 million.

The entire report and a one-page summary of the report and more information is available at traveliowa.com.