Tourism Matters to the San Juan Islands
Tourism infuses “new” dollars into San Juan County’s economy which are disbursed throughout our Island communities. In 2009, visitors spent $116.5 million in the Islands. The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and the Islands’ tourism industry recognize that the economic vitality of tourism is only sustainable if our natural beauty, rural character and watchable wildlife are preserved. Our goals and missions guide us all to instill an environmental stewardship ethic in our visitors, promoting responsible, low-impact visitation to our beautiful Islands.
What does tourism mean for Washington State?
· Tourism is Washington State’s 4th largest export industry, following software, aerospace and agriculture/food.
· Total direct visitor spending in Washington was $14.1 billion in 2009. Visitor spending accounted for just under $1 billion in local and state tax revenue in 2009.
· Tourism supports 144,000 jobs and $4.1 billion in earnings in Washington State.
What does tourism mean for San Juan County?
· Visitors Spend “New” Money in our County: In 2009, visitor spending in San Juan County was $116.5 million.
· Visitors Create Small Businesses & Jobs: In 2009, 1,580 jobs were generated by travel spending. Industry earnings generated by travel spending were $39.4 million in 2009. San Juan County is one of six non-urban counties in Washington with more than 10 percent of travel-generated jobs.
· Visitors Help Support Our County Through Taxes: In 2009, visitors generated $2.1 million in local tax receipts to help support our parks, museums, community centers/theaters, county fair grounds and essential services such as roads, schools, etc. Visitors’ tax dollars help keep resident-paid taxes lower. Visitors to our county generated $6.2 million in state tax receipts.
· In 2009 visitors spent their money on the following in San Juan County:
$37.9 million on food and beverage services
$30.3 million on accommodations
$17.8 million on arts, entertainment and recreation
$16.4 million on retail sales
$ 7.8 million on food stores
Source: Washington State County Travel Impacts 1991-2009, prepared by Dean Runyan Associates for the Washington State Tourism Office