Economic Impact of a Birding Festival

The purpose of this study is to determine the direct, indirect, and induced impact of a birding festival on a local economy. Nonresident visitors to the 7th Annual HummerlBird Celebration (September 7-10, 1995) in RockportlFulton region, Texas, spent over $1.1 milIion. Substantial economic impacts were also realized in terms of total gross output, employee compensation, and employment. The results indicate that spending among nonresident visitors contributed about $2.5 milIion in total gross output in the local community. In addition, it contributed about $0.8 million in personal income and also contributed about 73 full-time and/or part-time jobs to the local community. By documenting the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of birding festivals, event organizers and community leaders may be in a beller position to create interest in preserving natural resources and birding habitats. This study will provide event organizers and community leaders with microeconomic data, which may be useful for their investment decisions related to future birding festivals.