The economic impact of the travel and tourism industry on a geographic area, measured by total expenditures related to travel/tourism expenses.
Tourism brings external money into a region's economy, fueling the development of jobs, new industry and attractions. The sense that a region is a tourist destination also increases regional pride.
In 2024, almost $1.2 billion was spent on travel and tourism in Essex County, or about $1,450 per county resident. This was an 8% increase for the county since 2010, less than the statewide increase of 13% over the same timeframe. Essex County comprised about 5% of the over $24 billion spent statewide.
Essex County had a lower expenditure rate in 2024 than Middlesex County, MA. Middlesex received almost $3.9 billion in travel and tourism spending in 2024 or $2,323 per resident. This amounted to 16% of the statewide spending.
Figures presented are in 2024 dollars. Total expenditures include spending by domestic and international travelers in the region on transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, recreation and other tourism-related expenses. Comparable data was not available for Lake, IL and Westchester, NY.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $1,337 | $1,397 | $1,408 | $1,438 | $1,480 | $1,493 | $1,507 | $1,550 | $1,598 | $1,537 | $887 | $1,417 | $1,533 | $1,521 | $1,451 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $1,918 | $1,977 | $2,000 | $2,006 | $2,068 | $2,127 | $2,140 | $2,187 | $2,262 | $2,513 | $1,109 | $1,741 | $2,224 | $2,320 | $2,323 |
| Massachusetts | $2,961 | $3,083 | $3,159 | $3,214 | $3,301 | $3,406 | $3,429 | $3,494 | $3,605 | $3,554 | $1,781 | $2,811 | $3,425 | $3,441 | $3,386 |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $994 | $1,050 | $1,066 | $1,099 | $1,142 | $1,160 | $1,175 | $1,216 | $1,260 | $1,213 | $718 | $1,144 | $1,242 | $1,242 | $1,195 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $2,883 | $3,014 | $3,085 | $3,130 | $3,257 | $3,372 | $3,412 | $3,508 | $3,639 | $4,050 | $1,811 | $2,821 | $3,625 | $3,816 | $3,877 |
| Massachusetts | $19,385 | $20,388 | $21,049 | $21,577 | $22,322 | $23,141 | $23,401 | $23,971 | $24,814 | $24,494 | $12,525 | $19,676 | $24,050 | $24,319 | $24,163 |
| INDICATORS | TREND | ESSEX COUNTY |
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