CONVENTION, TOURS: TOURISM GREATLY IMPACTS TOTAL ECONOMY

Tourism is big business in Missouri, surpassed only by manufacturing as the largest revenue-producing industry in the state.

A detailed study prepared for the Missouri Division of Tourism reveals that the tourism and travel industry contributed more than $11.2 billion to the state's economy in 1991. Direct expenditures by tourists accounted for $7.8 billion of the total.

St. Louis, Kansas City and Ozark Mountain regions account for almost two-thirds of tourist expenditures, but all regions and counties of the state got some the money.

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau recently released its 1992 report, which reflects that conventions, events and group tours in Cape Girardeau contributed $9,608,661 to the economy. That figure is up more than $3 million from the $6,878,000 total of 1991.

"These figures are based only on the events and conventions which the CVB was allowed to service," said Cathy Crites, bureau assistant. "There are many other meetings, bus tours and events which are not reflected in our report."

The local CVB, operating with a budget of about $300,000, is funded by a motel and restaurant gross-receipts tax. The bureau consists of CVB Director Lyn Muzzy, Crites, and Mary Stucker, a former part-time employee who is on full-time status.

All work to attract conventions, tours and events to Cape Girardeau.

The CVB also supplies and packs information bags free of charge for any tour group or convention in the area. The CVB offers assistance for information tables and arranges shuttle transportation from motels to and from meetings at the A.C. Brase Arena and Show Me Center.

"The information bags include brochures, coupons and other complimentary items provided by area merchants," said Crites, "We also provide transportation for city tours."

In 1992 more than 24,000 bags were distributed by the CVB, more than double the 11,000 handed out in 1991.

The biggest chunk of travel dollars in Cape Girardeau came from special events, festivals and tournaments serviced by the CVB.

"We helped with a total of 60 events, which attracted more than 343,000 people in 1992," said Crites. "The total economic impact from these events added up to $6.5 million."

That compares to the 57 events of 1991, which attracted almost 248,000 people, with an economic impact of $4.7 million.

Conventions and meetings were also up in '92. In 1991, the CVB helped with 41 conventions and meetings, which drew 12,433 people, for an economic impact of $1.8 million. The CVB also assisted with 115 group tours that had 5,297 passengers, for an economic impact of $393,000.

The 1992 report shows 56 conventions and meetings, which attracted more than 18,000, for an economic impact of $2.6 million. The CVB assisted with 137 group tours, with a total of 6,165 passengers, an impact of $457,750.

The economic impact is figured on multipliers provided by the National Tour Association and International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.

Among special events for 1992 were the Midwest Forest Products Show at the Show Me Center, which attracted 8,000 visitors; the Missouri Baptist Convention, with more than 4,000 in attendance; and the Missouri State Square Dance Convention, which attracted 1,400 people.

The TOP Convention attracted 1,500 people and the Southeast Missouri Teachers Meeting and Lutheran Women's Association meeting each attracted 1,000 people.

The escorted tours business is already off to a good start for Cape Girardeau this year.

"We have a total of 120 tours already on the schedule for 1993," said Crites. "The escorted tour industry is a growing one, and it attracts people from all income spectrums."

The National Tour Foundation said a 1992 study showed that almost half of escorted tour travelers go more than 1,000 miles and describe them as "an excellent value for the money."

Crites added that many of the tours booking for 1993 are looking at Cape Girardeau as an overnight stop en route to Branson.

"With the country music boom at Branson, that area is a real hot spot," Crites said. "The majority of overnight requests are either en route to Branson or returning."

Statewide, expenditures by category show that lodging, food and shopping purchases account for two of every three tourism dollars spent in Missouri.

Traveler spending generated more than $2 billion in tax revenues to the government $625 million to the state, $271 million locally, and $1.2 billion to the federal government. The Missouri Division of Tourism survey also shows more than 250,000 jobs in the state as a result of the tourism industry. The tourism-generated jobs provided more than $2.2 billion in wages for Missouri workers in 1991.

Missouri has 1,692 accommodation facilities providing 81,616 rooms. The state offers 729 attractions to travelers, including historic sites, theme parks, music shows, caves, theaters, canoeing, professional sports and a variety of other attractions.

The state also has 184 state parks and 381 campgrounds, with a total of 26,450 campsites.

The study also revealed that more than half of the travelers in Missouri in 1991 came from other states or nations, and that Missouri received high marks from travelers. Over 75 percent of the travelers said they were likely to return again.