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Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau Releases Economic Impact Study of Tourism
lisa anders, GCVB Executive Director
The official numbers are in, and they are
impressive. In 2010, tourist activity in
Gwinnett County generated $905 million
in direct tourist spending, according to
a recently released report, “The 2010
Economic Significance of Tourism on the
Gwinnett County Economy.” The report
was based on economic impact figures
prepared by the Georgia Department of
Economic Development, with additional
analysis completed by University of
Tennessee Economist, Dr. Steve Morse.
The hospitality/
tourism industries are
both Georgia and Atlanta’s
number two industries,
but oftentimes “the
hospitality community
can get overlooked in the
metro area as our visitors
are not always as obvious
as tourists in other cities,”
explains Lisa Anders,
GCVB Executive
Director.
Anders notes Gwinnett’s
visitors range from business
travelers, visiting friends
and family, sporting event
attendees, meetings,
conventions and family
reunions.
Tourism was one
of the bright spots in
Gwinnett’s economy in
2011, with hospitality
revenues increasing 10
percent in 2011 over
2010. Tourism is truly
becoming a significant industry for
Gwinnett County, drawing from a diverse
mix of facilities, great downtowns, a
strong hotel community and increasing
nightlife. International travelers, both
leisure and business, are part of the new
face of Gwinnett’s tourism audience.
Partnership Gwinnett’s Asian presence, the
relocation and expansion of international
companies, and Gwinnett’s strong Korean
communities are creating a new generation
of Gwinnett visitors.
Gwinnett is fortunate to have major
draws including the Gwinnett Center and
Arena with attendance
topping 800,000 people in
2011. Many of Gwinnett’s
largest meetings/
conventions are hosted
at the Arena, including
the faith-based meetings
Catalyst/Giant Impact,
the Orange Conference
and Free Chapel, among
others.
Gwinnett’s two
largest visitor markets
include not only the
faith-based market, but the fast-growing
sports market. The Gwinnett Sports
Commission, the GCVB’s sports marketing
department lauds Gwinnett’s top-ranked
Parks and Recreation facilities, along with
venues including the Arena (host of both
the 2012 NCAA and SEC Gymnastics
Championships), Gwinnett’s numerous
golf courses, Suwanee Sports Academy,
Gary Pirkle Park, the Ice Forum, the
Snellville Dual Deck Arena and the new
LongForum at Greater Atlanta Christian
School as integral to making Gwinnett a
hot spot for youth and collegiate sports.
Sports travelers are especially coveted as
they stay longer, and generally have larger
number of travelers in their parties.
The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors
Bureau is Gwinnett County’s official
tourism organization and is dedicated to
strengthening Gwinnett County’s economy
by marketing the county as a destination
for conventions, sporting events, meetings,
trade shows and leisure travel through sales,
advertising and promotion. The GCVB is also
the home of the Gwinnett Sports Commission,
the county’s official sports marketing division.
• Tourism in Gwinnett
County generated
$905.42 million
on
direct tourist spending
• Tourism in Gwinnett
County represents
4.2%
of the county’s
economy
• Generated
10,620 jobs
• Produced
$217.64 million
in worker
income & paychecks
• Created
$26.51 million
in local
Gwinnett County tax revenues
• Created
$34.73 million
in Georgia state
tax revenue
• Without tourism – Gwinnett County
residents would have to pay an
additional
$201
in state and local
taxes to make up the lost revenue
THE EXECUTIVE – WINTER 2012
PAGE 10