TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Trends for the City of Aspen Falls Metro Area
By Todd Austin
September 21, 2018
The City of Aspen Falls Tourism Department in cooperation with the City of Aspen Falls
Chamber of Commerce surveyed random tourists1 about their visit to City of Aspen Falls.
Other key indicators were assembled from public records. These include airport arrivals
and departures and room tax revenues. From this analysis trends, demographics, and
recommendations are provided in this report.
TRENDS
The number of people visiting City of Aspen Falls grew about 10% last year, and for the
first time topped the 1 million mark. Over the past 10 years, spending by convention and
event attendees has risen consistently. However, this past year saw a decrease in business
tourist spending of 4%. This decline was offset by an increase in spending from leisure
visitors. Overall, spending by business and leisure tourists increased by over 9%.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The study shows that 60% of City of Aspen Falls tourists are from California—
resident visitors. Further, non-resident tourists:
Stay longer than resident visitors.
Are slightly older than resident visitors.
Have a higher average household income than resident visitors.
A tourist is any person staying for one or more nights in the City of Aspen Falls metro
area outside of their regular residence. A tourist can be classified as either a business
visitor or a leisure visitor.
1
Fly in instead of drive to City of Aspen Falls.
Other studies have shown that on average, leisure visitors travel with larger
parties and stay longer than business visitors. (Tribe 2011) These demographics suggest
that marketing to non-resident leisure visitors would have the greatest economic impact
for the City of Aspen Falls metro area.
DEVELOPMENT AREAS
Treating tourism as a growth industry is a recent practice. It is only in recent years
that the classifications of tourism have begun to reflect specialization within the field.
Currently, specialty tourism is seeing the most rapid growth with international tourism
also seeing robust potential.
Given its location and economy, the City of Aspen Falls metro area is best suited
to market these three specialty areas:
Agritourism
Wildlife Tourism
Sports Tourism
According to the World Tourism Organization, China shows the most potential in
terms of international tourism growth. (World Tourism Organization 2011). Marketing to
business and leisure visitors from China is not mutually exclusive of the specialty areas
listed previously.
SUMMARY
The economic benefits from promoting agritourism, wildlife tourism, and sports
tourism would have a significant impact on the local economy. Jobs would be created as
the city and local organizations enhance the visitor experience on local farms, ranches,
and wineries. Wildlife conservation areas attract more visitors while providing a benefit
to local residents. Finally, improving venues for playing sports and organizing sporting
events creates jobs and invites both resident and non-resident visitors.