Tourism Drives Economic Growth Across the Iowa Lakes Corridor

Tourism is a key part of the Iowa Lakes Corridor's economy. Many people think of summer trips to the Iowa Great Lakes, but tourism's impact goes much further. When visitors spend money, they help local businesses, create jobs, generate tax revenue, and support investments that benefit everyone in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties.
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Recent data from Travel Iowa shows that visitors spent almost $333 million in the four-county region. This spending led to a total economic impact of $480 million, supported 2,184 jobs, and brought in $72.4 million in state and local tax revenue. Each day, tourism activity generated about $911,800 in spending across the Corridor.
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“Tourism is not a separate part of the economy. It supports many of the industries and services that help communities grow and remain competitive,” said Curt Strouth, President and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation.

Tourism Creates Regional Economic Value

Tourism affects almost every part of the Corridor's economy. Visitors spend money on lodging, restaurants, transportation, recreation, shopping, and entertainment. This money flows through local businesses and creates more economic activity across the region.
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Transportation is one of the biggest spending categories in the region, and lodging is especially important in places with lots of visitors. Food service businesses, retailers, recreation providers, and hospitality companies all benefit from visitors' spending money throughout the year.
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Tourism also helps communities keep up their infrastructure and public services. The tax revenue from visitors helps pay for roads, public spaces, safety, and other amenities that residents use daily.
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Each county adds to the Corridor's tourism economy in its own way.

Buena Vista County Supports Business Activity Through Tourism

In 2024, visitors spent $40.7 million in Buena Vista County. Even though this was a small decrease of 0.7% from the year before, visitors still spent about $111,400 each day in the county.
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Transportation was the largest spending category at $10.9 million, followed by food and beverage at $9.0 million, and lodging at $8.2 million.
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The impact goes beyond what visitors buy. Tourism created a total economic impact of $60 million and supported 403 jobs in the county. These jobs brought in $12.4 million in income for local workers and families.
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Tourism also generated $8.2 million in state and local taxes, which helps pay for services and infrastructure and eases the burden on local taxpayers.
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For businesses in Buena Vista County, money spent by visitors is an extra source of income that supports investment, hiring, and long-term stability.

Clay County Expands Economic Activity Through Visitor Spending

In 2024, visitors spent $41.8 million in Clay County, which is a 3.2% increase from the previous year. On average, visitors spent $114,500 each day in the county.
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Transportation was the top spending category at $9.9 million, followed by food and beverage at $9.3 million. Retail spending was also important, reaching $8.4 million for the year.
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The total economic impact was $62.1 million in business sales. Tourism supported 304 jobs and brought in $10.5 million in labor income. Tourism generated $8.8 million in state and local tax revenue, with $6.1 million coming directly from visitor spending.
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Clay County shows that tourism helps more than just hotels and restaurants. Retail stores, service providers, transportation companies, and other employers all benefit when visitors spend money in the community.

Dickinson County Leads the Region's Tourism Economy

Dickinson County is still the main tourism destination in the Iowa Lakes Corridor and has the largest share of visitor spending in the region.
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In 2024, visitors spent $241.6 million in Dickinson County, which is a 3.4% increase from last year. On average, visitors spent about $661,900 each day.
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Dickinson County's tourism economy is supported by many types of spending. Transportation brought in $61.9 million, lodging brought in $58 million, and food and beverage spending reached $49.4 million. Recreation and retail spending together added another $72.2 million.
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Tourism's impact reaches all parts of the county's economy. It generated $344.6 million in business sales and supported 1,400 jobs. Tourism makes up 16.6% of all jobs in Dickinson County, making it one of the area's most important industries.
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Workers earned $50 million in income from tourism, and visitor spending brought in $53.2 million in state and local tax revenue. The Iowa Great Lakes keep attracting visitors from across the Midwest. This creates demand for local businesses, supports jobs, and brings in revenue that benefits the whole community.

Emmet County Builds Momentum Through Tourism Growth

Emmet County has a smaller share of the region's tourism economy, but it saw the fastest growth among the four counties in 2024.
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Visitor spending went up by 5.0% to $8.8 million. On average, visitors spent about $24,000 each day in the county.
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Transportation was the biggest spending category at $3.4 million, making up almost 39% of all visitor spending. Food and beverage, retail, lodging, and recreation also added to local business activity. Tourism created a total economic impact of $13.3 million and supported 77 jobs in the county. These jobs brought in $2.5 million in income. Tourism also generated $2.2 million in state and local tax revenue.
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Emmet County's growth shows that tourism can help communities of any size. Even small increases in visitor activity can bring real economic benefits to local businesses, workers, and governments.

Contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor to Learn More

Tourism is still a key part of the Iowa Lakes Corridor's economy. Whether it's the Iowa Great Lakes, community events, recreation, local attractions, restaurants, shops, or hotels, visitor spending creates economic activity that benefits residents all year.
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The combined impact of $332.9 million in visitor spending, 2,184 jobs, and $72.4 million in tax revenue shows how tourism helps drive economic growth in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties.

Contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation to learn more about the value of tourism and the opportunities it brings for businesses, workforce development, and regional growth.