By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The City of Great Bend paid to have a tourism economic impact report conducted by the State of Kansas. Using data from tax collections, employment and wage statistics, hotel room rates and more, the study gathered information about the travel sector in Barton County.
Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said the City of Great Bend makes up 95% of the tourism dollars in Barton County. Visitor spending in Barton County in 2022 was $54.1 million, recovering from the COVID pandemic for its best year since 2018.
"Tourism impacts each individual household in Barton County," said Hayes. "Each of us citizens in Barton County saves $600 annually because of tourism efforts. Two years ago it was only $540. When you promote your community and bring in outside visitors, that brings in new dollars into your community."
Of the $54 million spent by visitors, $16 million or 30% came from transportation costs like fuel. There was $15 million spent on food and beverage, $9 million on retail and $8 million on lodging.
"The piece that has continued to rise as I've been watching it is the recreation and entertainment piece which is now 11% or $6 million," said Hayes. "I remember when it was down at 5%. The state is seeing that trend since COVID. People are wanting to go out and have fun. Of course, sports is always really big too."
Barton County’s $54 million in visitor spending represented 0.7% of all visitor spending in Kansas in 2022.