News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Indiana Best In Nation For Attracting Tourists

Indiana is the top state in the nation for attracting tourists.

According to a Washington Post report, the Hoosier state's tourism office gets a better return on its investment than any other state.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates that in fiscal year 2012-2013, Visit Indiana had $2.3 million to spend marketing the state.

That same year, Indiana took in more than $8.3 billion dollars in tourism revenue.

That means every tax dollar spent on marketing and promotion yielded more than $3,000 dollars in economic activity.

Many other states see a much smaller return on their investments. Alaska, Hawaii, West Virginia, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Maine all generate less than one-tenth the return on investment Indiana sees.

The state's top tourist destinations include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- home to the Indy 500 -- Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.