Site Search Email Signup

Tourism by the Numbers: Tompkins County 2009

Total Lodging—1,887 rooms, an increase of 24% from 2005
            1,661 hotel rooms
            226 B&B/Inn rooms
            59 B&B/Inn properties
            21 Hotel/Motel properties

Total Estimated Visitors—750,000 per year (day visits and overnights)

Peak Season—Summer, fall

Total Lodging Revenue—Approximately $45 million annually

Total Hotel Nights Booked—More than 300,000 annually

Total Economic Impact—$170 million (2008) an increase of 5.9% from 2007

Local Tourism Employment—3,400 people (direct and indirect)

Local Tax Revenue Generated—$12 million

State Tax Revenue Generated—$10.6 million

By total employment, tourism is the sixth-largest industry in Tompkins County.

6.1% of all employment in the Finger Lakes is generated by tourism.

About 45% of Ithaca/Tompkins County visitors live in New York State. Other major markets are Pennsylvania (14.5%), and New Jersey (10 %).

The average stay in Ithaca/Tompkins County is 3.15 nights. The primary trip purpose for visitors is either general relaxation, college/university related, visiting friends and relatives, or overnight as part of a longer trip.

77.33% of all travel parties consist primarily of adults. 22.67% traveled with children.

The average age of visitors to Ithaca/Tompkins County is 48 years.

Visitors to Ithaca and Tompkins County tend to be educated with the majority having some college or a college degree. The trip planner tends to be female head of household. The income level is in the middle range.

The most popular activities for visitors to Ithaca/Tompkins County include:
            Visiting state parks/waterfalls (56.72%)
            Shopping (54.23%)
            Driving/sightseeing (53.73%)
            Walking downtown (51.74 %%)
            VisitingCornell University (42.29%)
            Hiking (41.79%)
            Visiting a winery (33.33%)
            Visiting a bookstore (29.85%)
            Visiting a farm tour (21.89%)

Leisure travelers to Ithaca/Tompkins County spend an average $340/day per party. 

 
NEWS

Winter Recess Brings 3,400 to Town
Ithaca, NY -- Despite difficult economic conditions, Tompkins County's annual Winter Recess teachers fest attracted 3,400 teachers and family members, the second-largest attendance in the event's four-year history. A record 163 local business partic...
Read More

Enjoy the Holidays in Downtown Ithaca
Ithaca, NY -- Spend the Holiday season in Downtown Ithaca with special events including the annual Holiday Parade of Ice, Santa's arrival, a community gingerbread house competition, and of course, great dining, shopping and entertainment. The season s...
Read More

Viz Bureau Announces Winter Recess 2010, Feb. 12-21
Ithaca, NY-- Ithaca's Winter Recess teachers fest, the nation's first and only communitywide celebration of state educators, returns for its fourth season, Feb. 12-21. More than 6,000 teachers and family members are expected to attend this winter's editi...
Read More

Ithaca Celebrates the Sundae's Birthday with Free Ice Cream at History Center Fun Day
Ithaca, N.Y., (Aug. 21, 2009) -- Ithaca is the hometown of the ice cream sundae and the community is celebrating with free sundaes, Aug. 29, at the History Center in Tompkins County. The sundae giveaway is part of the History Center's Day of Family Fun, ...
Read More