Thursday, November 30, 2017
People are spending more money at local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and attractions.
According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, a new study shows that in 2016, travel-related expenditures were about $857 million in Rock Island and Scott counties. This accounts to a 2 percent increase compared to 2015.
Bureau President and CEO, Joe Taylor, said that the figures from the US Travel Association show that tourism is very important to the local economy.
The study showed that every dollar spent on tourism in the Quad Cities generates more than $308.00 in local economic impact. Taylor says the leisure and hospitality industry’s success is one reason behind the low rate of local unemployment.
For the first time since 2001, tourism in Scott and Rock Island counties supported more than 8,000 jobs. Year over year, local sales tax receipts increased $1 million to $14 million.
