mcdo

McDowell County Travel and Tourism Facts

$ Impact	Domestic tourism generated an economic impact of $26.16 million in McDowell County in 1997. This is a 7.6% increase over 1996 it compares with a 2.9% increase for North Carolina. McDowell is 60^thin travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties.
Jobs	330 jobs in McDowell County are directly attributable to travel and tourism. Travel generated a $4.39 million payroll in McDowell County in 1997.
Taxes	State and local tax revenues from travel to McDowell County amounted to $2.17 million in 1997. This represents a $59 tax savings to each county resident
Attractions	Over 20 million people traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1997. Other popular area attractions include Little Switzerland, Linville Gorge and Caverns, Lake James State Park, Pisgah National Forest and museums featuring the area's pioneer, Indian and mineral heritage.
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.
Hotels	Some 38% of visitors stay in hotels and motels. Hotel occupancy for the Advantage West economic development region varies seasonally. During 1997 it ranged from 22.70% to 62.91%; this compares with occupancy ranging from 19.18% to 58.91% for 1995. Average daily rates for this region in 1997 ranged from $31.42 to $85.02 and tend to be higher than the state average.