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Catawba County Travel and Tourism Facts

$ Impact	Domestic tourism generated an economic impact of $147.33 million in Catawba County in 1997. This is a 4.2 % increase over 1996 it compares with a 2.9% increase for North Carolina. Catawba is 13^thin travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties.
Jobs	2,210 jobs in Catawba County are directly attributable to travel and tourism. Travel generated a $30.56 million payroll in Catawba County in 1997.
Taxes	State and local tax revenues from travel to Catawba County amounted to $11.69 million in 1997. This represents a $94 tax saving to each county resident.
Attractions	Popular attractions include the Hickory Furniture Mart and Catawba Valley Furniture Exhibit, Arts Center of Catawba Valley, Murray's Mill historic district, Lake Norman and the Hickory Motor Speedway.
Visitors	A 1994 survey found historic sites, beaches, scenic areas, museums, golf and fishing most popular among visitors to North Carolina. Average age is 41 years; 45% had household incomes $50,000 or more; 48%are college graduates, 21%graduate or professional school educated.
Origins	Top states of origin for North Carolina domestic visitors are Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia. International visitors come mainly from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and France.
Hotels	Some 38% of visitors stay in hotels and motels. Hotel occupancy for the Carolinas economic development region is among the most stable, usually exceeding the state average. During 1997 it ranged from 42.49% to 70.73%; this compares with occupancy ranging from 31.42% to 64.59% for 1995. Average daily rates for this region in 1997 ranged from $32.85 to $47.42 and tend to be lower than the state average.