Economic Impact Toolbox

Last updated: September 2008

Introduction and Scope

Data on the local economic impact of tourism is very important for councils and businesses. Yet national economic data is often not reliable at the local authority level. This Toolbox provides checklists and survey methodologies to help you calculate the economic impact of tourism in your region.

Why use this Toolbox?

Knowing the economic value of tourism within a local authority area is important in understanding the benefits tourism can bring to a community. Many local authorities own and manage tourism facilities such as museums, art galleries, visitor information centres, convention centres and events. In addition, local authorities invest in regional tourism organisations (RTOs) to market the region on their behalf.

Once you have obtained information about the economic contribution of tourism, you can use it to:

Determine the priority for tourism within the local authority as a contributor to the economic development of the region;
Help evaluate whether current and potentially increased expenditure on tourism facilities and marketing is a sound investment, providing economic and social benefits for residents and businesses as well as for the local authority.