The economic impact of the travel and tourism industry on a geographic area, measured by total expenditures related to travel/tourism expenses.
Tourism brings external money into a region's economy, fueling the development of jobs, new industry and attractions. The sense that a region is a tourist destination also increases regional pride.
In 2019, almost $1.1 billion was spent on travel and tourism in Essex County, good for $1,393 per county resident. This was a 19% increase for the county since 2006, similar to the statewide increase of 22% over the same timeframe. Essex County comprised about 5% of the $22 billion spent statewide.
Essex County had a lower expenditure rate in 2019 than Middlesex County, MA. Middlesex received almost $3.4 billion in travel and tourism spending in 2019 or $2,095 per resident. This amounted to 15% of the statewide spending - reflecting a 22% increase since 2006.
Figures presented are in 2021 dollars. Total expenditures include spending by domestic and international travelers in the region on transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, recreation and other tourism-related expenses. Comparable data was not available for Lake, IL and Westchester, NY.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $1,171 | $1,181 | $1,158 | $1,085 | $1,155 | $1,207 | $1,216 | $1,242 | $1,278 | $1,289 | $1,301 | $1,339 | $1,381 | $1,393 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $1,711 | $1,766 | $1,715 | $1,569 | $1,657 | $1,707 | $1,727 | $1,733 | $1,786 | $1,837 | $1,848 | $1,889 | $1,954 | $2,095 |
| Massachusetts | $2,640 | $2,712 | $2,634 | $2,407 | $2,557 | $2,663 | $2,729 | $2,776 | $2,851 | $2,942 | $2,962 | $3,019 | $3,114 | $3,209 |
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County, MA | $854 | $863 | $850 | $802 | $858 | $907 | $921 | $950 | $986 | $1,002 | $1,015 | $1,050 | $1,088 | $1,099 |
| Middlesex County, MA | $2,492 | $2,583 | $2,534 | $2,345 | $2,490 | $2,603 | $2,665 | $2,703 | $2,813 | $2,913 | $2,948 | $3,031 | $3,144 | $3,376 |
| Massachusetts | $16,925 | $17,442 | $17,040 | $15,686 | $16,745 | $17,612 | $18,182 | $18,639 | $19,283 | $19,989 | $20,215 | $20,706 | $21,435 | $22,120 |
| INDICATORS | TREND | ESSEX COUNTY |
|---|
