Ithaca Tourism Stats

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.