WABASH COUNTY, IN- Visit Wabash County announces the results from the Economic Contribution of Tourism in Wabash County report for 2022, which boasts an increase of over $12 million in visitor spending from the previous data collection year.
The key metrics and economic impact assessment were conducted by Rockport Analytics via a
co-op program organized by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation.
“Tourism continues to be an economic driver for jobs in Wabash County, coming in at number 5
but coming in at number 1 for growth,” said Jan Roland 2024 Board President for Visit Wabash
County. “Those numbers reinforce how big of an impact tourism has on the Wabash County
economy.”
The report concluded the following 2022 Wabash County Tourism Highlights:
● Spending by Visitors to Wabash County totaled $77.1 million in 2022, an increase of $12
million over the previous year and $9.3 million over 2020.
● Visitors spent $6.9 million on lodging, $21.1 million on food & beverages, $22.5 million on
retail, $9.8 million on entertainment and recreation, and $16.8 million on transportation.
● The economic impact of these expenditures totaled $77.1 million.
● Of every tourism dollar spent in Wabash County in 2022, $.44 ‘stayed’ local totaling a
retention of $33.6 million.
● Visitor Spending in Wabash County supported 1,107 jobs and $19.4 million in labor
income. Tourism is the 5th largest industry (4th not including Government) in Wabash
County (by jobs).
● Tourism-Initiated Tax Revenue generated $3.9 million in Federal tax collections, $7.3
million in State & local taxes including $4.1 million in sales taxes.
● If Wabash County tourism did not exist, each of the 12,471 households in the county
would have to pay an additional $586 per year in taxes to maintain current state & local
tax levels.
● Approximately 7.8% of al jobs in Wabash County are supported by tourism to the region.
In addition to the hotel and restaurant industry, tourism directly supports jobs in retail
trade, transportation, and the arts.
“The study revealed that Wabash County surpassed the state median for annual tourism growth
by 7.2%,” said Christine Flohr, executive director of tourism for Visit Wabash County. “It is critical
for key decision-makers and residents to know the significant impact that tourism has and how it
directly affects the quality of place and growth of Wabash County. We report these findings
annually in addition to our Year in Review Report as a way to ensure that the public is aware of
the critical work that the team at Visit Wabash County is executing successfully.”
Contributing to public education, the state & local tax revenue collected from tourism in
Wabash County is sufficient to fund 574 Indiana public school students and roughly 134 Indiana
public school teachers. Approximately 7.9% of al people working in Wabash County are
supported by visitors to the county, according to the report.
The organization will be governed by President, Jan Roland (Community Volunteer), Vice
President, Beth Gillespie (Lagro Canal Foundation) Secretary, Nate Fansher (Executive Vice
President at Crossroads Bank), Treasurer, Howard Kaler (General Manager for the Charley Creek
Inn), Adam Stakeman (Industrial Sales Manager for J.M. Reynolds Oil Company), Brittany Rager
(Marketing & Special Event Director for Brandt’s Harley-Davidson), Jennifer Bailey (owner of
Salamonie Bridal Stalls, The Sanctuary and Geronimo), Keli Cordill (owner of Tri Oaks Realty), and
Deb Conner (co-owner of the Hopewell Properties).
Office staff includes Executive Director Christine Flohr, Content Manager Biz Bishop, Tourism
Manager Jennifer Long-Dillon, Creative Lead Brittany Riner, Experiences Manager Stephanie
Rogers, Visitor Services Coordinator Stacy Clegg, Experiences Coordinator Daisy Sparks, and
Marketing Strategist Hayley Renbarger.
For more information regarding tourism in Wabash County please contact the office: Phone
260-563-7171 or via email at tourism@visitwabashcounty.com. Go to
www.VisitWabashCounty.com for the latest event information.
