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 Caesar ’ s Southern Indiana opened on Nov . 20 , 1996 , just beyond the Floyd County line in Harrison County . It now has 74,421 sf of gaming space featuring 1,203 electronic gaming devices and 738 table game positions . Employing 1,214 people , the casino remains one of the area ’ s largest employers . 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
Where : 11999 Casino Center Drive SE , Elizabeth
Total win :
$ 71,726,720
Total taxes :
$ 45,403,613
Local development agreement
payments :
$ 8,140,20
Employment
MINORITY 18 %
COUNTY 19 %
INDIANA 69 %
2021 TOTALS FOR TABLE GAMES
Game Units Drop Win Baccarat 5 $ 22,057,205 $ 3,551,756 Black Jack 42 $ 78,340,261 $ 15,107,976 Craps 5 $ 25,649,099 $ 5,641,736 Poker 14 $ 30,959,252 $ 10,007,115 Roulette 5 $ 14,398,469 $ 3,731,051 Total 71 $ 171,404,286 $ 38,039,634
2021 TOTALS FOR ELECTRONIC GAMES
Game Units Drop Win
January |
657 |
$ 124,043,236 |
$ 12,862,126 |
February |
661 |
$ 107,573,971 |
$ 10,672,695 |
March |
661 |
$ 146,235,098 |
$ 14,885,990 |
April |
778 |
$ 171,482,117 |
$ 17,765,605 |
May |
916 |
$ 166,151,104 |
$ 17,045,216 |
Total |
|
$ 715,485,526 |
$ 73,231,632 |
Source : SoIN Tourism Annual Report
32 2022 snapshot | a special publication of the News and Tribune