TBS releases Economic Impact Statement for 2011

Travel Berkeley Springs reported tourism dollars for 2011 amounted to $40 million, a 30%t increase from 2008, the last period calculated.

“This substantial amount makes tourism Morgan County’s largest generator of revenues,” the report said.

The report, Economic Impact of Tourism in 2011, was presented to the Town of Bath Council at the Tuesday evening, May 1 meeting.

The report said tourism held steady through 2006 and began to decline after the closing of the Coolfont resort. In 2008, the weakened economy continued the decline until tourism began to stabilize again in the middle of 2010.

Morgan County has approximately 5,000 vacation or second homes that are visited an estimated four times a year by the owners, spouses, family and friends. The report estimates those vacation days amount to 65,000 a year.

In 2011, there were 47,000 room nights at lodging facilities at an average of $100 a night for 94,000 visitors, since nearly all rooms are occupied by a minimum of two persons.

The report estimates each visitor spent conservatively $250 on expenses for lodging, meals, golf, gas, spa fees and shopping.

In addition, the report estimates there were 100,000 day trippers that visited the county during the year spending about $100 each.

The state made a significant investment in 2010 to upgrade the bathhouse in Berkeley Springs State Park and business there and at Cacapon State Park remains excellent, the report said.

“Currently (Spring 2012) virtually all lodging is showing increases, established restaurants and shops continue to stay open and new ones are opening,” the report concluded.