2.1 - Tourism

Tourists from areas near and far will be attracted to the Eco-Colosseum. Those from nearby communities will come because they lack such an event center in their locale and they also have a need for arts and entertainment. People from all over will want to travel to the Eco-Colosseum to attend low impact, earth-friendly events held in an amphitheatre constructed of recycled materials.

According to the study of Washington State Travel Impacts for 1991-2006, performed by Dean Runyan Associates in 2007 (commissioned by the State of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development), visitors to Spokane County in 2006 spent an estimated $739.8 million, produced $55.7 million in tax receipts, and generated approximately 9,860 local jobs. From 2005 to 2006, tourist spending increased by 7%, taxes collected from non-residents increased by 5.5%, and the number of jobs created by tourist dollars went up by 4%, indicating solid growth for tourism in our area. The strength of Washington tourism is also supported by state-wide increases of 9.2% in tourist spending, 8% in taxes collected, and 2% in employment. The State of Washington could contribute to and share in this growth by hosting the Eco-Colosseum.

Based upon these statistics, we project that this event center will increase annual local tourism by four percent. The specific impact of the Eco-Colosseum will bring an estimated increase of $29.6million in tourist spending, which will yield $2.2 million in tax receipts for Spokane County, and create 394 jobs.

Currently, there is nothing like the Eco-Colosseum in the State Washington and there is no large outdoor entertainment venue at all in the City of Spokane Valley. People from surrounding states are likely to travel to the Eco-Colosseum for events in which they wouldn’t be able to participate in their own area. Unique outdoor festivals and events will become new community traditions for patrons of all walks of life.

Continue reading... 2.2 The Impact: The Local Potential