Average visitor to Kansas spends $236

The chairman of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK) Legislative Committee, Roger Hrabe, is also the Rooks County Economic Development Director, who understands the importance of funding for economic development opportunities in the state.

Roger Hrabe, TIAK member and Rooks County Economic Development Director

“Our members know firsthand the economic impact investment in tourism events has on their communities,” says Hrabe.

“Tourism events in Kansas draw people to communities where they spend money and create jobs. Tourism is the third largest industry in the state, employing approximately 10% of the population.”

The majority of the Kansas travel industry have said the most important general business issue is state investment in economic development projects, according to the latest survey of legislative priorities for TIAK. The group released its annual survey Tuesday.

Top areas by respondents on where TIAK should focus its efforts today and during the 2014 legislative session include:

Protect and increase funding for tourism and support tax incentives;
Better understand, advocate and protect the integrity of the Transient Guest Tax (TGT);
Enhance legislative awareness of tourism industry’s impact to the state and its businesses;
Funding for the transportation programs and improved tourism signage across the state; and
Retention of the STAR Bond program.

A recent study of the return on investment of state dollars for tourism expenditures was released in 2013. It showed Kansas received 32 million visitors in 2011, which generated $8 billion, with each visitor spending on average $236. Tourism is responsible for 148,228 jobs in the state, $2.5 billion in wages and salaries, and 14.4% of all state and local tax receipts.

TIAK’s legislative survey results also indicated:

53% of respondents say the T-WORKS program has been the most beneficial economic development program to their local communities.
The other most important general business issues include the state tax structure, state and federal legislation with regard to immigration and the impact on the service industry business, and maintenance of the Kansas transportation system.
Overwhelmingly, the majority of respondents support the elimination of the Kansas motor coach property tax assessed on tourism buses traveling through Kansas.