Updated: November 1, 2023

5 Impacts of Tourism You (Maybe) Didn’t Know About

This National Travel and Tourism Week we celebrate the benefits of tourism

As a destination marketing organization (DMO), we most commonly hear complaints about the potential negative impacts of travel and tourism – that tourists cause overcrowding, traffic and damage to outdoor spaces. But as a DMO, we are attuned to the benefits of tourism and the incredible impact it has on a local, national and global scale. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re sharing 5 impacts of tourism you (maybe) didn’t know about.

1. Stimulates economic growth

In 2021, the Pikes Peak Region brought in 24 million visitors spending a total of $2.6 billion. When overnight visitors come to town, they generally stay at hotels and rent cars – which means they pay our local Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART). Money collected through LART goes back into the community and tourism promotion to keep fueling visitation and economic impact. Visitors spend their money on recreation, entertainment, shopping, accommodations, food and drink.

2. Cultivates vibrant communities

Think about why you love where you live. Typically, it’s because there are fun places to explore, people to meet, new restaurants and shops to check out and ample entertainment. Vibrancy in the community is heavily supported by visitors. The largest number of our overnight visitors (32%) come to the Pikes Peak Region to visit friends and family. When people bring their friends and family to town, they take them to restaurants, trails and parks, shops and more. With this economic activity and the support of LART, the community can fund more local events and activities.

3. Creates quality job opportunities

Pre-pandemic in 2019, travel spending directly supported 187,800 jobs in Colorado, making it the state’s 4th
largest employment sector. According to U.S. Travel, the travel industry directly employs 8 million American workers but still has 2 million job openings. There is ample opportunity for more hiring to ensure the industry’s future growth and success.

4. Inspires new businesses

Visitors support the local economy and encourage new businesses to open. During the pandemic years, we felt the impact of low visitation. Many shops and restaurants had to shut down either temporarily or permanently. Businesses rely on travel and tourism to keep their doors open, grow and expand. Many ideas for new businesses come from people who have relocated to the area or came here first as a visitor.

5. Elevates the quality of life for residents

We like to use a quote from tourism industry leader Maura Gast: “If you build a place people want to visit, you’ll build a place people want to live. If you build a place people want to live, you’ll build a place people want to work. If you build a place people want to work, you’ll build a place where business has to be. And if you build a place business has to be, we’ll be back to building a place people want to visit.” This “circle of tourism” shows the impact visitation has on economic vitality. Visitors help fuel the parts of our community residents love the most.