How many people visited southwest Indiana for the April 8th solar eclipse? WNIN’s John Gibson takes a look:
Explore Evansville commissioned a study executed by Rockport Analytics, focused on the counties of Posey, Gibson, Vanderburgh, and Warrick from April 5th through the 9th.
Explore Evansville’s Kate Reibel says the total number of visitors in the four-county area was more than the population of Evansville – about 150,000.
Reibel says that translates to a “visitor lift” of more than 40,000:
"That is showing that there's 40,000 people than we would have here any other average benchmark weekend."
Reibel says total tourism spending for the four-day eclipse period amounted to $6.6 million:
"That is a huge number and that went right back into local retailers, local restaurants, businesses, attractions...so those funds were poured right back into our community."
The study showed a direct business impact of $4.6 million. That represents the value added to the regional economy by increased tourism.
Reibel says Rockport Analytics studied a wide range of economic data:
"From tax data to different lodging statistics, of course geo-location services, as well as credit card data."
Reibel emphasizes the credit card data remained anonymous.