Northern Arizona University

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES

An economic impact study measures the total economic impact of visitors to an area. Because an economic impact analysis requires recent visitor expenditure data, it is often combined with a visitor survey. Information necessary to conduct the analysis includes: visitor origins (out-of-state, in-state, local), party size, number who stayed overnight & the number of nights, plus the amount of money spent per-party-per-day on lodging, food & beverages, transportation (including gasoline), entertainment/recreation, and “other.” Direct expenditure data is then put through an economic impact statistical model (e.g., IMPLAN) to calculate total economic impact, including direct, indirect and induced impacts, along with an estimate of the employment impact of visitor spending. For an example, see the Arizona State Parks Economic Impact Study.

CONTACT
INFORMATION

Cheryl Cothran, Ph.D.
Phone: 928-523-2132
Fax: 928-523-5233
PO Box 6024
Flagstaff, AZ  86011-6024
Cheryl.Cothran@nau.edu

Thomas Combrink, M.S.
Phone: 928-523-2132
Fax: 928-523-5233
PO Box 6024
Flagstaff, AZ  86011-6024
Thomas.Combrink@nau.edu

Tourism Research
Phone: 928-523-6205
Fax: 928-523-5233
PO Box 6024
Flagstaff, AZ  86011-6024
Tourism.Research@nau.edu