Survey results show economic impact of Brunswick Golden Isles visitors

The Brunswick Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau has released a new economic impact study, which shows the economic impact of tourism visitation in Glynn County, Georgia, including Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. Davidson Peterson Associates, a travel marketing research firm in Kennebunk, ME, conducted the year-long study on behalf of the Brunswick Golden Isles CVB. According to the Davidson Peterson study, Glynn County visitors spent $735 million in Brunswick and the Golden Isles between July 2007 and June 2008 (FY 2007-08). Visitor expenditures during that period resulted in:

• 14,700 full-time-equivalent jobs;
• $320 million in resident income (wages, salaries and proprietary income);
• $51 million in state government revenues; and
• $39 million in local government revenues.

An estimated 1.6 million overnight visitors stayed in Glynn County during FY 2007-08. Of that number, 1.05 million visitors stayed in area hotels, motels or resort properties. The remaining overnight visitors stayed in vacation rental properties, campgrounds or with friends or relatives.

The study shows visitor expenditures divided into several key categories. According to Davidson Peterson Brunswick Golden Isles visitors spent:

• $214.16 million on Food (29 percent of total expenditures);
• $174.42 million on Lodging (24 percent of total expenditures);
• $150.56 million on Recreation (20 percent of total expenditures, this category includes museums and historic sites, sightseeing, sport and event fees, evening entertainment, cultural events, wagering, liquor, licenses and sweepstakes);
• $55.58 million on ground transportation (8 percent of total expenditures); and
• $2.04 million on other items (0.3 percent of total expenditures).

By season, Brunswick Golden Isles visitors spent:

• $220.41 million during Spring (April-June, 30 percent of total expenditures);
• $198.67 million during Summer (July – September, 27 percent);
• $162.71 million during Fall (October – December, 22 percent); and
• $153.27 million during Winter (January – March, 21 percent).

The study was designed to measure the economic impacts derived by Glynn County residents and governments from dollars spent in the area by visitors. Economic benefits cited in the study include:

• Total expenditures by made by Brunswick Golden Isles visitors;
• The number of full-time equivalent jobs supported by visitor expenditures;
• Wages, salaries and proprietary income earned by area residents as a result of visitor expenditures; and
• State and local government revenues generated by visitor expenditures.

For the purposes of this study, a “visitor” is defined as anyone who visits Brunswick and The Golden Isles while traveling outside of his or her normal routine, spends money and remains in the area for less than 30 days. According to Davidson Peterson, “economic impact” begins when a visitor spends any amount of money on a product or service. The study further defines three types of economic impact:

• Direct economic impacts are the direct result of visitor expenditures; for example, when visitor expenditures pay the salary and benefits of a hotel desk clerk.
• Indirect economic impacts are the economic benefits that result from additional rounds of spending; for example, when a hotel and its employees support additional jobs, wages, salaries, proprietary income, and government revenues.
• Total economic impacts are the sum of direct and indirect economic impacts.

The economic impact analysis is based on information gathered by Davidson Peterson Associates between July 2007 and June 2008 through three separate surveys. The survey results were based on self-administered questionnaires completed by Glynn County visitors who were staying overnight or had traveled 50 miles or more from home on a day trip, as well as telephone interviews of Glynn County lodging managers and residents.

According to Davidson Peterson, the previous economic impact study for Glynn County’s tourism industry was conducted in 2001. A complete copy of the report can be found on the Brunswick Golden Isles CVB official website. Just click on the “Visitors Statistics” button.

The Brunswick Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Glynn County, Georgia, including the mainland city of Brunswick and four barrier islands: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. The Brunswick Golden Isles CVB mission is to create awareness of and interest in Brunswick & The Golden Isles as destinations for vacations, meetings and group tours. This is done through an array of programs and initiatives that include paid advertising, public relations, sales and marketing, a comprehensive area web site and operating three area welcome centers.

For more information about Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia, call toll-free 800-933-COAST (2627) or visit them online at http://www.ComeCoastAwhile.com.