The Invisible Industry

As you drove to work today did you wonder where all the cars and buses you met were going? Many of them were on their way to work just as you were. Some were passing through on their way to another destination or on their way to visit friends and relatives -- or other leisure activity. Some were going to spend time in Plymouth.

Those people that were not local contributed to the tourism industry. The tourism industry is the second largest industry in the U.S. and the third largest in Indiana. Visitors spend $5.9 billion annually or $16 million every day and provide $103 million in local government revenue and $355 million in state government revenue. 56% of the tourists that spend money in Indiana are from out of state, thus bringing outside money to the local economy. 58% of those travelers are individual leisure travelers while 2.7% are group travelers.

Many of the retailers in town do not feel they benefit from tourists, but out of every dollar a tourist spends, 30 cents goes for shopping (60%), visiting small friendly towns (52%), fairs and festivals (34%), fishing or boating (17%), and participating in sports (10%).

Plymouth has fine restaurants, antique shops and quality shopping - these things are what tourists are looking for.

Plymouth has much to offer the tourism industry, we just need to toot our horn a little louder!

The Chamber Building at top will take you to our front page.