Spencer County Sees Tourism Growth in 2011
Posted on January 17, 2012
As a new year begins, the Spencer County Visitors Bureau reflects on local tourism growth in 2011. With tourism additions, restorations, and other enhancements, the signs of continuing growth in Spencer County were evident in the past year.
"The tourism industry plays an important economic role in Spencer County," says Melissa Wilkinson, executive director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. "It's exciting to look back and see how Spencer County tourism continues to grow and to look forward to more development in 2012 and future years."
Highlights of the past year include:
- A new lodging facility, Silent Night Golf & Vacation Rentals;
- 25 new "Rudolph's Christmas Cabins" at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort;
- The addition of four more cottages at Santa's Cottages;
- Two new tourism businesses, Santa's Stables and Monkey Hollow Winery;
- A family Christmas ride, Rudolph's Round-Up, and a new children's water slides area, Safari Sam's Splashland, at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari;
- A new location for the workshop for Santa's Elves and the Santa Claus Museum;
- Restoration of the historic Santa Claus statue;
- Restoration of the Daniel Grass Cabin at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum;
- The Visitors Bureau launched two new websites to feature Santa Claus, Indiana, and Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home, as well as an interactive map to help visitors plan their trip;
- The Capitol Christmas Tree visited Santa Claus, Indiana, for the first time;
- Forbes magazine declared the town of Santa Claus one of the "World's Top Christmas Destinations."
Spencer County is home to nationally known attractions such as Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, and Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home with national and state parks. The Visitors Bureau encourages guests to stay overnight and visit county attractions, shops, and restaurants.
For more information about Spencer County as a year-round destination, call (888) 444-9252 or visit
www.SantaClausInd.org and
www.IndianasAbeLincoln.org. Also, find Santa Claus, Indiana, and Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home on the Visitor Bureau's free app for iPhones and Androids by searching "Holiday World & More!" and on any mobile device at
http://m.SantaClausInd.org and
http://m.IndianasAbeLincoln.org.