Tourism data and statistics for Bellingham Mt. Baker region

12/1/2006

Tourism research and statistics for the Bellingham Mt. Baker region of Washington:

* Visitors spend $396 million annually in Whatcom County (2005 figures). The county ranks fifth in visitor spending of the state’s 39 counties.

* Tourist spending directly creates 6,560 jobs in Whatcom County.This equals 6% of the total work force. More than 790 tourism jobs have been created in the county since 2000.

* The average hourly wage for Washington tourism industry employees is more than $14 per hour.

* Research conducted for the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development documents that for every two jobs in the tourism sector, one job is supported or created in the sectors of insurance, professional services like accountants, construction, real estate, wholesale goods, etc. These support industry jobs pay an average of $40,000 per year (2002 study).

* In 2005, for every dollar invested in Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, $11.46 in new visitor spending and media exposure was created through the activities of the organization. This includes new conferences attracted to town, services to extend visitor stays, marketing, publicity generated, etc.

* Overnight visitors generate $29 million in local and state sales taxes.

* According to independent research conducted for Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, about 72% of the visitors to Whatcom County reside within 200 miles, have a median household income exceeding $60,000, and the average age is 47 years. More than half of the households have no children at home (March 2002).

* About 2/3 of the visitors to Whatcom County stay at least one night. Average length of stay is 3.9 nights.

*Travelers staying in commercial lodging establishments spend an average of $293.50 per day per party.

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