FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2017

For more information:
Jacob Schmidt
360-750-1553 Ext.519
jschmidt@VisitVancouverUSA.com

 

Tourism drives economic growth to Clark County in 2016
New report reveals Vancouver area visitors spent $472.5 million in 2016

 

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A recent report conducted by Dean Runyan Associates for Visit Vancouver USA shows that visitor spending to Clark County in 2016 exceeded $472 million-a 4.7 percent increase from 2015. The Washington State Travel Impact and Visitor Volume report also reveals that visitors generated $14.3 million in local taxes and supported more than 4,450 travel industry jobs.

These local figures are an important part of travel's economic importance nationwide. Data from U.S. Travel Association-released in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7 to 13-show that travel is a $2.3 trillion industry in the U.S., with $990.3 billion in direct travel-related spending in the U.S. by domestic and international visitors in 2016.

"The growth we're seeing at the local level is reflective of Vancouver's rapidly growing slate of tourism commodities, including new hotels, award-winning breweries and up-and-coming restaurants," said Kim Bennett, president and CEO of Visit Vancouver USA. "As we enter National Travel and Tourism Week, these numbers help tell the story of the ways in which tourism positively impacts the economy and the millions of people employed in travel-related positions."

Visitors support 15.3 million American jobs, and travel-related spending generated $157.8 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues in 2016.

For more information on travel's economic impacts, please visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.

About Visit Vancouver USA
Visit Vancouver USA is the official destination marketing organization for Vancouver USA and the surrounding areas. The organization also markets the region as a venue for sports events through the Vancouver USA Sports brand. Visit Vancouver USA's mission is to increase visitor spending in Vancouver and Clark County through competitively marketing the area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. For more information call 360-750-1553, or visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.

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