Michigan City LaPorte Research Stats

The following research findings represent the importance of tourism to the local economy in 2010 and was accomplished through the use of the Certec Model used by Certec Inc.:

• 1. The tourism and travel industry made a total contribution to LaPorte County's economy of $572.3 million in 2010.
• 2. A total of 5,741 jobs in LaPorte County were due to the expenditures made in the tourism and travel industry.
• 3. The total wage and salary income generated by tourism and paid by local businesses was nearly $100.3 million.
• 4. Destination travelers to LaPorte County totaled over 4.2 million persons with an additional 1.0 million pass-through travelers.
• 5. The strongest state markets for the area are: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.
• 6. The typical LaPorte County visitor is most likely to be a college graduate and working in a professional/technical job or retired.
• 7. Most visitors are either on a short trip of one to three nights in length (67 percent) or a day trip (15 percent).
• 8. The information sources most likely to be used when making travel plans include (in rank order): Internet, friends and relatives, a local visitors bureau, an auto club, magazines, newspapers, a travel agent, and a state travel office.
• 9. On average a travel party visited 2.0 attractions. The most visited attractions by those interviewed were: Lighthouse Place Outlets, Blue Chip Casino, Indiana Dunes/Beach, Washington Park Zoo, Local Restaurants, Baseball Tourney, Winery, Local Museums, Local Event and Golf Course.
• 10. The most frequently mentioned activities that visitors participated in while in LaPorte County were shopping, dining, gaming, swimming/sunbathing, visiting friends or relatives, wedding, and watching sports, hiking/walking and music/theater.