By Staff
are up in region
Beaufort County
sees an increase;
Hyde County falls
By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Tourism in Beaufort County generated an economic impact of $64.97 million in 2007, a 5.2 percent increase over 2006, according to a statewide study.
That $64.97 million put Beaufort County 47th in travel impact among the state’s 100 counties. The county had the same ranking for 2006. Last year marked the sixth year in a row the county’s tourism-related revenues exceeded the $50 million mark. Since 1990, the county’s tourism revenue has more than doubled. In 1990, those revenues were reported at $26.64 million.
In 2006, tourism in Beaufort County generated an economic impact of $61.74 million, a 6.3 percent increase over 2005.
According to the Division of Tourism, an arm of the N.C. Department of Commerce, about 450 jobs in Beaufort County were directly attributable to travel and tourism in 2007. Travel and tourism generated a payroll of $8.79 million in 2007, according to Division of Tourism data.
In 2007, state and local tax revenues from travel and tourism in the county came to $7.24 million.
Lynn Lewis, Washington’s tourism-development director, attributes the increase in tourism-related revenues, at least in part, to “an increase of awareness” of Washington and Beaufort County.
The Washington Tourism Development Authority also launched an advertising campaign on radio stations in the Washington, D.C., area, she said. Plenty of home football games, including contests with in-state rivals such as North Carolina and N.C. State, also helped, she said.
Washington’s Visitor Center averages about 25 visitors a day, Lewis said.
James C. Smith, Washington’s city manager, is pleased with the increase in Beaufort County, of which Washington is the county seat. He believes the efforts of the Washington Tourism Development Authority are paying off.
He also attributes the increase in tourism-generated revenue to the increase in festivals and events in the county that are drawing more people.
He believes tourism remains one of the top three economic engines in the county, coming in behind the county’s medical community and ahead of light manufacturing.
The state
On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Easley announced that visitor spending for 2007 increased 7.4 percent across North Carolina to $17.1 billion. Ninety-four of the state’s 100 counties saw increases in spending, including six counties with double-digit increases, according to statistics released by the N.C. Commerce Department’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
Hyde County
Tourism in Hyde generated $27.29 million in revenue in 2007, a 4.1 percent decline when compared to 2006, according to the statewide study. Hyde County’s tourism-related revenues came in at $28.46 million in 2006, a 3.5 percent increase over 2005. Four years ago was the first time the county surpassed the $25-million mark.
Last year, Hyde County ranked 72nd among the state’s 100 counties in travel impact. In 2006, it was ranked 69th.
Hyde County’s tourism-related revenues came in at $28.46 million in 2006, a 3.5 percent increase over 2005. Four years ago was the first time the county surpassed the $25-million mark.
In 2007, about 370 jobs in Hyde were directly attributable to travel and tourism, which generated a $5.50 million payroll in 2007. State and local tax revenues from travel to Hyde County amounted to $2.8 million in 2007.
Washington County
In Washington County, domestic tourism brought in $12.83 million in tourism-related revenues in 2007, an increase of 6.4 percent over 2006. The county took in $12.05 million in tourism-related revenues in 2006, an increase of 8.7 percent over 2005.
The county ranked 89th among the state’s 100 counties in travel impact in 2007, the same ranking it had in 2006.
About 100 jobs in Washington County were directly attributable to travel and tourism in 2007. State and local tax revenues from travel to Washington County amounted to $1.35 million. Travel generated a $1.78 million payroll there in 2007.
Wright believes an emphasis on promoting the county as a place to stay overnight instead of visiting during the day and going somewhere else to spend the night is paying off.
Martin County
Tourism in Martin County generated $27.24 million in tourism-related revenues in 2007, an increase of 2.6 percent over 2006. In 2006, tourism in Martin County generated $26.54 million in economic impact, a 9.2 percent increase over 2005.
The county ranked 73rd among North Carolina’s 100 counties in travel impact in 2007. It ranked 72nd in 2006.
Travel generated a $4.25 million payroll in 2007 in Martin County. State and local tax revenues from travel to Martin County amounted to $2.14 million, according to the Division of Tourism. About 250 jobs in Martin County were directly attributable to travel and tourism in 2007.
Edward Harrington, spokesman for Martin County Travel and Tourism, attributes the increase to two major factors. The first factor is larger, longer-lasting horse shows at the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center just outside Williamston, he said.
More people are coming to the county to spend time on or at the Roanoke River, use paddle trails and take advantage of bird-watching opportunities, he said.
The 2007 Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties was prepared for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development by the Travel Industry Association of America.