consumers
TOURISM
Despite the havoc that COVID-19 unleashed on the region in 2020 , a SoIn community engagement survey found that nearly 80 % of area residents and stakeholders had an increased appreciation for the tourism and hospitality industry ’ s value .
In fact , even after a year spent working with fewer resources and marketing to a smaller area , the organization ’ s website had 153,901 visitors , a 28 % increase over 2019 , and gained 2,878 new social media followers , up 9 % from 2019 .
The travel restrictions tied to the pandemic led to a 43 % drop in revenue for Clark and Floyd County lodging . While those numbers aren ’ t yet back to pre-pandemic levels , they are on a steady climb to recovery .
Visitors to Southern Indiana can stop by the SoIN Visitor Center in Jeffersonville daily . A rest area off of southbound I-65 in Henryville is open Thursday-Sunday , with information available 24 / 7 . In 2021 , the organization also debuted its first-ever Mobile Visitor Center , which travels around the region to share information about upcoming events , attractions , and things to do .
CAESAR ’ S SOUTHERN INDIANA 11999 Casino Center Drive SE , Elizabeth
Caesar ’ s Southern Indiana opened on Nov . 20 , 1996 , just beyond the Floyd County line in Harrison County . It now has 74,421 square feet of gaming space featuring 1,203 electronic gaming devices and 738 table game positions . It also draws tourists with 503 hotel rooms , six restaurants , an 18-hole golf course and a 14-room conference center . In 2020 , the Caesars Foundation donated $ 2,698,807 to local community organizations in the surrounding counties
Total win2022 :
$ 250,000,000
Total win 2021 : $ 71,726,720
Total taxes 2022 :
$ 71,256,399
Total taxes 2021 : $ 45,403,613
Local development agreement
payments :
$ 12,300,075
Employment : 882
MINORITY 17 %
COUNTY 20 %
INDIANA 68 %
Source : SoIN Tourism Annual Report
22 2023 snapshot | a special publication of the News and Tribune