So, you think Jacksonville is a great place to live, but wonder if anyone actually vacations here?  They do!  2.6 million of them last year alone – and that doesn’t count the day trippers who come for the day and don’t stay overnight.  Some other interesting stats about our city’s guests:

 50.9 – Average age of visitors

$107,477 – Average Annual Household Income

3.8 – Average number of days visitors stay

2.6 – Average number of people in a visiting party

31.8 – Percentage of people who get here by plane

40 – Percentage of visitors who live in the Southeast

21.8 – Percentage of visitors who live in Florida

11.4 – Percentage of visitors who live in the Midwest

10.6 – Percentage of visitors who live in the Northeast

 Want to know why they visit?  Top reasons include:

• Safe destination
• Family friendly
• Good food/restaurants
• Good value
• Luxury accommodations
• Beaches

And these visitors are dropping some serious coin.  Total economic impact of visitor spending in Jacksonville was $1.5 billion in 2009.  Overnight visitors who stayed in commercial lodging or with friends and relatives contributed nearly $894 million in direct spending.  These visitors are saving locals money, too!  Their tax contributions save each Duval County resident an estimated $173 in taxes each year.

So, spread the word – Jacksonville is an awesome city to visit!  Go to www.visitjacksonville.com to learn more about tourism in Jacksonville.