May 1-7 is National Tourism Week and in recognition of this, Scott White, President & CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau takes a look at the Coachella Valley’s number one industry, tourism.
In his Desert Sun article, Scott notes that in 2015, the nearly 13 million visitors to the Greater Palm Springs area spent $5 billion, which generated $6.4 billion in total business sales, including indirect and induced impacts. And this economic impact has been steadily rising almost 5 percent each year over the last five years. Nearly 50,000 jobs locally, or one in four – are sustained by tourism.
Scott writes that tourism touches many industries in Greater Palm Springs, with employees earning $1.5 billion as a result of visitor activity. And, this money is largely spent locally. Even if you are not involved in these industries, it is important to know everyone benefits. Tourism-driven state and local tax proceeds of $538 million help to offset the average household tax burden by $3,561. The bottom line for Scott: travel makes a difference in our communities and lives every day.
To read the original article, courtesy of The Desert Sun, please visit: http://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2016/04/30/valley-voice-white-hospitality-industry/83718754/