MO tourism brings in $7.44B during 2011

More than 36.1 million travelers visited Missouri in 2011, contributing $7.44 billion to the state's economy, according to the Missouri Tourism Commission and Department of Economic Development Division of Tourism's fiscal year 2011 annual report.

The report was presented yesterday to the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government and the House Committee on Tourism and Natural Resources, according to a DED news release.

To meet tourism demands, 279,599 Missourians were employed in the industry during the year. The report also noted that tourism generated more than $627 million in tax revenues for the state, and travelers spent an average of $171.70 per person per trip.

In the release, Missouri Division of Tourism Director Katie Steele Danner pointed to total fiscal 2011 expenditures from the tourism industry of $10.25 billion, an all-time high. Comparatively, the figure increased by $13 million from the previous year, and reverses declines in the past two fiscal years. Fiscal 2011 ended June 30.

“These numbers indicate our efforts to promote Missouri as a fun and affordable destination are paying dividends,” Danner said in the release. “Given the challenges of today, these results not only add needed and necessary revenue, but also reflect well on our professional staff, consultants and vendors, and our industry partners."