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 2016, $918 million was spent on travel and tourism in Essex County, good for $1,180 per county resident. This was a 1% increase from 2015 and an 11% increase for the county since 2006, both similar to the statewide increases over the same timeframes. Essex County comprised about 5% of the $18 billion spent statewide.
Essex County had a lower expenditure rate in 2016 than Middlesex County, MA. Middlesex received $2.6 billion in travel and tourism spending in 2016 or nearly $1,670 per resident. This amounted to 15% of the statewide spending - reflecting an 18% increase since 2006.
Figures presented are in 2016 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.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $1,059 | $1,068 | $1,048 | $981 | $1,045 | $1,091 | $1,101 | $1,123 | $1,157 | $1,166 | $1,176 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $1,548 | $1,597 | $1,552 | $1,419 | $1,499 | $1,545 | $1,564 | $1,569 | $1,618 | $1,662 | $1,672 |
| Massachusetts | $2,388 | $2,453 | $2,383 | $2,177 | $2,313 | $2,409 | $2,470 | $2,512 | $2,581 | $2,662 | $2,680 |
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $773 | $780 | $769 | $725 | $777 | $820 | $833 | $859 | $892 | $906 | $918 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $2,254 | $2,337 | $2,292 | $2,121 | $2,253 | $2,355 | $2,411 | $2,445 | $2,545 | $2,635 | $2,666 |
| Massachusetts | $15,310 | $15,778 | $15,415 | $14,190 | $15,147 | $15,931 | $16,448 | $16,861 | $17,443 | $18,082 | $18,286 |
| INDICATORS | TREND | ESSEX COUNTY |
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