STRICTLY BUSINESS: 'SUMMER 2000 TRAVELOMETER' PREDICTS SOME BIG NUMBERS

Missouri is not one of the top 10 destination states for visitors this summer, but more than 34 million people are expected to visit, generating more than $12 billion for the state's economy.

A "Summer 2000 Travelometer" reveals that 86 percent of travelers plan to take at least one trip this summer, up significantly from last summer when 82 percent travelers were planning a summer trip.

Only 14 percent of travelers said they will not take a trip this summer, down 2 percentage points from last summer.

More than 34.4 million people visited Missouri in fiscal year 1999, generating $12.6 billion for the state's economy, says a report released by the Missouri Division of Tourism. Both numbers represent increases compared to previous fiscal years, with visitation increasing 6.1 percent from FY95 and the economic impact increasing 5.4 percent from FY98.

According to the report -- "Economic Impact of Missouri's Tourism and Travel Industry" -- the FY1999 numbers show direct tourism and travel expenditures accounted for $5.6 billion (up 6.2 percent vs. FY98), created 206,796 tourism industry-related jobs and generated $574.5 million in state tax revenues. About 70 percent of all domestic visitors to Missouri originate from out-of-state.

Thousands of visitors flock into the Cape Girardeau area each year. One of the top tourist attractions is the 3,307-acre Trail of Tears State Park, 12 miles north of the city. More than a quarter-million visitors head for the park annually for camping, hiking, picnicking, boating and swimming.

Spending on travel and tourism in Illinois hit a record level of $22.5 billion last year. Tourism-related companies support more than 310,000 Illinois jobs, generating $7.2 billion payroll. Domestic travelers spent nearly $20.4 billion in Illinois last year while the remaining $1.65 billion came from overseas travelers.

The Travel Industry Association of America recently released figures on travel and tourism in the nation through its report, "Tourism Works for America 2000," a 32-page report full of graphs and data.

In Missouri, tourism is the second largest revenue-producing industry. Nationally, travel and tourism have become America's largest service export, one of the nation's largest employers and America's third largest retail sales industry, listed only behind automotive dealers and food stores.

In 1999, travel-related expenditures in the United States increased by almost 5 percent, to an estimated $519 billion. Of that amount, $94 billion were spent by international travelers, creating a $12 billion trade surplus.

Additional national statistics in the report revealed 16.9 million people are either directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry. And, the industry generated almost $87 billion in tax revenue for local, federal and state governments, such as Missouri, Illinois and its communities.

Although high gas prices will be a factor this year, the Travel Industry Association of America predicts yet another robust summer travel season. TIA's Summer 2000 Travelometer says Americans will take 237 million person-trips during June, July and August. A person-trip is one person traveling 50+ miles, one-way, away from home.

Dr. Suzanne Cook, a senior vice president of research for the Travel Industry Association of America, said that although high gas prices are a factor this summer, "a majority of Americans say that increased prices will not make much of a difference in their summer travel plans."

Not surprisingly, a majority of those planning to travel this summer will do so for pleasure (87 percent). Americans will be traveling longer this summer, intending to stay away 10 nights on their longest pleasure trip, up from 8.5 nights last summer. They also plan to spend more money on their longest pleasure trip this summer ($965 vs. $956).

Florida, California and New York are the three highest priority destinations for travelers this summer, with Florida and its Disney attractions No. 1.

As many as 34 percent of travelers indicate they will visit Florida; 26 percent will head for California, and 13 percent to New York. Other notable destination states included, in order, Hawaii; Colorado, Arizona and Nevada. Rounding out the top 10- designation are Washington D.C., and South Carolina.