SWAIN COUNTY AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TOURSIMS DOLLARS

Impact Tourism Dollars In Swain and Surrounding Counties

$4 Million — Tourism — Heritage — Eco - Tourism Development

Room tax - Swain County
2000 - 2001 - $167,476.00
2001 - 2002 - $175,810.00
2001 July—Nov - $111,177.00
2002 July-Nov - $113,871.00
Increase of $2,694.00

Counties Tourism Revenues (Million)
1990 $24.75
1991 $26.46
1992 $28.71
1993 $31.20
1994 $34.22
1995 $37.33
1996 $39.49
1997 $39.93
1998 $43.92
1999 $50.52
2000 $51.67
2001 $50.17

More than 880 jobs in Swain County directly to travel and tourism.

Travel generated $13.6 Million Payroll in 2001.

State local tax revenues from travel to Swain County amounted to $5.1 million

This represents a $389.00 Tax saving to each county resident.

Economic impact of tourism in our 23 county region from $1.2 billion in 1995 to 1.6 billion in 2000. Increase of 23 % to the total economic impact of tourism during this five year period.

Tourism industry association of American was $8.5 billion.

Blue Ridge Study 2001 travel guide. The Average traveler spent nearly $1,100.00----average $375.00 per person.

More than $ 180.00 per night, North Carolina rank first in terms of numbers of night stay in percentage of money spent.

Shopping Historical sights main attraction.

More than six out of ten spent $1,000or more

58% stayed in motel

Sightseeing 98%

Historical sights 64%

Park Service 1.2 billion dollars in economic impact the park has on western N.C. eastern Tenn; Payroll in millions $12.67

State tax receipts millions $2.61 Expenditures in millions state $50.52

According to Smoke Mountain Host of N.C.study Heritage Tourism spends 2 and a half time more than regular tourism spends.

Smoky Mmountain Host of N.C. $1.6 Billions in tourism

JOBS - 25000 in 23 counties W.N.C.

N.C. department of commerce division of tourist film and sport development.

According to the travel industry of america the average U.S. traveler spends $457.00 and 3.4 nights away from home per trip. Historical and Culture Attraction Spends $631.00 and 4.7 nights.

National Heritage Tourism Trust Historic Preservation In 2001 Tourism Contributed $537.2 Billion to the U.S. Economy making the country's third largest retail industry.

In 2000 travel and tourism provided more than 7 million jobs and indirectly supported another 9.2 million jobs.

Study done by U.N.C.A. of Asheville (2003) Economic Effects of Fontana Lake Management Policy. Estimated Annual Expenditure in Swain County

For Two Months more summer water. $1.55 Million annually.

Swain and Graham Counties Two Months $2.25 Million Annually.
David Monteith