USA: Tourism Industry Comes Through Again In County

For those who question how much of an impact tourism has on Chautauqua County, financial statistics provide the answer.

According to a report from the New York State Division of Tourism, direct visitor spending in 2013 accounted for a total of $190 million in revenue.

Fifty percent of tourism revenue for the year occurs during June, July and August, and the 2014 summer season proved to be profitable countywide despite rain and temperatures below average.

"There was a lot of uncertainty about how things would turn out each and every week because of the variation in weather, but from people I've spoken to, they did quite well," said Andrew Nixon, executive director of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.

Nixon said recent data from the Smith Travel Research Report revealed a 13 percent increase in revenue for franchise hotels from August of 2013-2014.

"Looking at taxable lodging sales, which include any lodging sites hosting visitors for a week or less, not including campgrounds, about $33 million per year is collected in just hotel revenue," Nixon said, adding that the amount does not include additional food, beverage or taxes.

Nixon said the Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point and the Irwin Bay Cottages in Mayville both had profitable summers, while the Chautauqua Marina found June to be the most profitable.

"The golf courses had a soggy summer," Nixon said. "But, when it didn't rain, they had golfers coming out steadily. I don't think it made up for what was expected."

However, he said fishing season was a success, with bass and muskie being the primary catches.

"On Lake Erie, the walleye fishing season has been very strong and that lasts all summer long and into September," Nixon said.

As for other attractions, he said Chautauqua County wineries had a great summer leading into their fall festivals.

LUCY FEST

Another successful summer event was the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, drawing more than 13,000 visitors to Jamestown from Aug. 6-10.

According to Journey Gunderson, executive director of the Lucy-Desi Museum and Center for Comedy, an economic impact analysis reported that $3.7 million in direct spending occurred during the 2011 Lucy Fest.

"This year, we had just as many or more visitors and events," Gunderson said.

The revenue amount is broken down into categories including spending on transportation, retail, dining, accommodations and festival events.

Admissions to the Lucy Desi Museum and Center for Comedy were up this summer by 4-5 percent as well.

"We are staying strong and steady," Gunderson said, adding that an increase in private rentals for weddings and other occasions has brought additional revenue.

Furthermore, 95 percent of visitors to the museum are from outside of Chautauqua County.

"Even if you look at just admissions, $15 multiplied by 20,000 museum attendants pumps $300,000 into our economy, let alone the cost to get here, dining out and staying in hotels," Gunderson said.

"There's no question that all of it impacts local business."

Gunderson added that Jamestown's National Comedy Center, set to open in July 2016, is projected to bring 122,000 visitors annually to Chautauqua County, based on a study performed by Aecom Technology Co.

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION

An estimated 100,000 visitors traveled to Chautauqua Institution from all over the country this summer, according to Marty Merkley, vice president and director of programming.

"Chautauqua Institution is unlike any other place in the country," he said. "There are very few places that combine all that we do here in our programming, from visual arts to lectures to programming for children and young people."

The most popular events of the summer included musical performances by Jennifer Nettles, Vince Gill and Bruce Hornsby.

Heavily attended lecture series weeks included week one with television journalist Tom Brokaw and week seven with documentary producer Ken Burns.

Lectures are the No. 1 draw, Merkley said, followed by visual and performing arts events.

"Everyone is attracted by something different. We have two audiences," Merkley said. "There are those that are residents, and those who come to the institution for particular events."

He said attendance and ticket sales were similar to numbers from 2013.

"All of this generates a great deal of money that is part of the tourist dollar that helps support this county," Merkley said.

PAST AND FUTURE

Nixon concluded visitor spending provides $1.3 million in occupancy tax revenues and $6 million to $7 million in local sales tax revenue per year.

In 2012, direct visitor spending at lodging facilities, wineries, golf courses, ski areas and other recreational sites totaled $175 million, generating 6.2 percent of Chautauqua County's labor income.

"Tourism is doing well," said County Executive Vince Horrigan. "We want to make sure we have the right tools available for employers who can assist in creating an environment of customer service. We want people who visit Chautauqua County to be impressed with their experiences and say 'What a great place to come and visit.'"