wilk

Wilkes County Travel and Tourism Facts

$ Impact	Domestic tourism generated an economic impact of $44.55 million in Wilkes County in 1997. This is a 1.4 % decrease over 1996 it compares with a 2.9% increase for North Carolina. Wilkes is 43^hin travel impact among North Carolina's 100 counties.
Jobs	570 jobs in Wilkes County are directly attributable to travel and tourism. Travel generated a $7.59 million payroll in Wilkes County in 1997.
Taxes	State and local tax revenues from travel to Wilkes County amounted to $2.99 million in 1997. This represents a $49 tax savings to each county resident
Attractions	Over 20 million people traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1997. Other area attractions include Tory Oak and the Old Wilkes Jail in historic Wilkesboro, Stone Mountain and Doughton Parks, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest, the North Wilkesboro Speedway and Wilkes Community College Gardens of the Senses.
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 31.42% to 64.59% 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.