Dahlonega & Lumpkin County Tourism, Wedding, and Wine Industries Data
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DAHLONEGA & LUMPKIN COUNTY TOURISM, WEDDING, AND WINE INDUSTRIES DATA REPORT April, 2018 Report Index Accolades . 4 Visitors Center Data . 6 Festivals and Events . 8 Tourism Assets . 9 Lodging . 12 Heart of Georgia Wine Country . 13 Local Wedding Industry . 14 Bed Tax Revenue History . 19 Conclusions & Takeaways . 20 2 | P a g e Dahlonega Winning Accolades on a National Level FROM MAIN STREET DESIGNATION TO TRIPADVISOR, DAHLONEGA AND LUMPKIN COUNTY IN THE SPOTLIGHT Only 65 miles north of Atlanta, the small-town charm of Dahlonega, Georgia is rooted in its historical significance as being the first major U.S. Gold Rush in 1828 – more than 20 years before California’s Gold Rush in 1849. The Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site commemorates and chronicles that history with a million dollar collection of gold coins minted in Dahlonega. Two gold mines – one a still-operating gold mine – offer visitors a chance to pan for gold and make gemstone jewelry, and there are other gold attractions close by, including the Price Memorial Hall steeple at the University of North Georgia, which is covered in pure Dahlonega gold, as is the State Capitol dome in Atlanta. Today, Dahlonega’s “It’s Pure Gold” designation extends to the variety of its six award-winning vineyards, downtown tasting rooms, Appalachian Trail hiking, picturesque landscape, waterfalls, horseback riding, great places to stay, a charming and walkable downtown, and its sophisticated yet casual-dress dining scene. The residents of Dahlonega are not the only ones who have taken notice. Architectural Digest named Dahlonega a top pick for their 2016, 2017 and 2018 list of best small towns, and The National Main Street Center, Inc. chose Dahlonega for a 2016 Great American Main Street Award® These awards are an affirmation of the history, attractions and culture of Dahlonega. Upcoming travel trends note an influx in authentic travel where visitors are looking to experience the culture like a local. As shown in its recent accolades, Dahlonega offers that and more. Georgia has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 21 “Best of the World” destinations for 2017. This award stems from initiatives such as Georgia’s Year of Music from 2016. Dahlonega’s unique music scene, blended with their proximity to the mountains and Atlanta’s international airport, bring in visitors from across the country and even the world. There are so many opportunities for entertainment and adventure. 3 | P a g e Not to show off, but most recently: Dahlonega’s dining scene has received positive reviews from Zagat, one of the foremost serious foodie sites, for its variety of fine yet casual, chef and owner-driven restaurants. https://www.zagat.com/b/atlanta/best-restaurants-dahlonega-georgia Dahlonega was named one of the five best places in Georgia to celebrate the holiday season by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, and Southern Living has named Dahlonega one of the best small towns. http://www.southernliving.com/southsbest TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals has compiled a list of “America’s Prettiest Small Town Vacations,” and Dahlonega is on the list. TripAdvisor travelers praise the area for its breathtaking wineries, vineyards, and art galleries. And that’s not all! Accolades FIRST, BEST, ONLY Site of the First Major U. S. Gold Rush – 1829 One of Georgia’s seven Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses at Achasta Golf Club Six Wineries & Vineyards with award-winning vintners and chefs Georgia’s oldest remaining Historic Courthouse – 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse Second most visited Georgia State Historic Site - Dahlonega Gold Museum Largest Annual Bicycle Ride in the Southeast - Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Rides Second oldest public institution of higher education - 1873 North Georgia Agricultural College One of only six Senior Military Colleges in the United States – University of North Georgia 12 Listings on National Register of Historic Places DESIGNATIONS "Great American Main Street Award® Winner" - National Main Street Center, Inc. 2016 "Appalachian Trail Community" - Appalachian Trail Conservancy 2010 "Camera Ready" Community - Georgia Department of Economic Development 2010 "Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia" - Georgia State Senate 2015 "Georgia's Premier Sports Cycling Community" - Georgia General Assembly 2005 "State's Official Center for Study of Appalachia" Historic Vickery House - Georgia General Assembly 2005 "Preserve America Community" - Advisory Council on Historic Preservation "National Main Street City" - National Trust for Historic Preservation 4 | P a g e “Military College of Georgia & a State Leadership Institution” – University System of Georgia “Entrepreneur-friendly Community” – Georgia Department of Economic Development A 13-Year "Tree City USA Community" 2014 - National Arbor Day Foundation ACCOLADES One of 25 Best Small Towns in America – MSN, 2017 One of ‘Best 25 Day Trips From Atlanta” – VacationIdeas.com, 2017 One of 14 Best Road Trips from Atlanta – Thrillist, 2017 One of “America’s Most Charming Small Towns for the Holidays” – MSN, 2017 “The Most Beautiful Places in Georgia You Need to See” – Thrillist, 2017 “Prettiest Small Towns in Georgia” – Southern Living, 2017 Towns to Visit This Christmas – Southern Living 2017 One of 5 "Best Places in Georgia to Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s" - Atlanta Journal Constitution 2016 One of 21 "Best Small Towns in America" - Architectural Digest 2016 "Smithsonian's 20 Best Small Towns to Visit" - Smithsonian Magazine 2016 "4th Best Underground Attraction - Consolidated Gold Mines" - USA Today 2016 "6th Best Small Town Weekend Escape" - USA Today 2016 "10th Best Historic Small Town" - USA Today 2016 "4th Best Southern Small Town" - USA Today 2015 "4th Best Summer Weekend Escape" - USA Today Travel 2014 “Dahlonega: Small-town Escape” - Southern Living Magazine 2012 “Best Wine Town Runner Up, Southern Dream Towns” – Garden & Gun Magazine 2012 "23rd Best Small City in America" - Charles Anderson's In Search of Eden "10th Best Course You Can Play in Georgia - Achasta Golf Course" - Golfweek Magazine "Downtown Development Award of Excellence" - Georgia Downtown Association 2010 “Tourism Partnership Award” – Georgia’s Official Hospitality Highway GA Hwy 400 2008 “1st Place National Performing Arts Festival in DisneyWorld” Holly Theater Children's Theatre 2008 National Champion Precision Drill Team, UNG Blue Ridge Rifles 2001, 2002 “Award of Excellence” Hospitality Highway - Governor’s Tourism Conference 2007 "Dahlonega Downtown Square" - Georgia Magazine Readers' Choice Awards 2007 “3rd Most Economical Retirement Community” - U.S. News & World Report 2007 "Local Favorite" - U. S. Travelocity Local Secrets, Big Finds 2005 Top 20 Events - Old Fashioned Christmas – Southeast Tourism Society 2004 Top 20 Events - Annual Family 4th of July – Southeast Tourism Society 2002 “Shining Example Award” – Dahlonega-Lumpkin Co. Chamber – Southeast Tourism Society 1996 5 | P a g e Visitors Center Data GROUP VISITATION (2017) Number of groups visiting Dahlonega: 27 Number of rooms reserved: 750 Number of overnight visitors: 3,025 Estimated potential revenue: $529,168 GROUP VISITATION (2017) Markets visiting Dahlonega-Lumpkin: University (educational programming and sports events), military, continued education, SMERF, reunion, leisure group tour, wedding, film, motorcoach, international and small conference groups Top Attractors: Dahlonega Gold Museum, Historic Smith House Restaurant, University of North Georgia, wine tasting rooms, weddings at farm wineries, UNG Athletics, Historic Downtown Dahlonega 73 Leisure Group Tour Bus visits with 2,537 passengers Small Conference, Events and Meetings Highlights: Turkish Airlines, STS Marketing College, Japan-America Grassroots Summit, Technical College System of Georgia, Jo’s Tours, Bristol-Spencer Engineering Corporate Retreat, Wedding Expo, Bus Technician Rodeo of Georgia, North Miami High School Reunion, Dade County Firefighters, Wahsega 4-H, Star Banquet, Six Gap, Weddings (over 500 at more than 15 venues). TOURISM IMPACT ON DAHLONEGA-LUMPKIN COUNTY (BASED ON 2017 VISITOR DATA) $354,032.28 Overnight Accommodations Tax at a 5% Rate $6,903,629.46 represents lodging revenue from overnight visitors based on bed tax collected 185,256 Walk-in Visitors at the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Regional Visitor Information Center (RVIC) 15 Countries, 41 US States and Puerto Rico, and 121 US and International Cities averaging 2.3 People Per Visiting Party signed the Visitors Center Guest Book International Visitors: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Africa IN 2017, LUMPKIN COUNTY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY (MOST RECENT INFORMATION AVAILABL E FROM EXPLORE GEORGIA): Supported 338 jobs Generated $40.57 million in direct tourist spending Created $1.6 million in state tax revenues Generated $1.16 million in local tax revenues Each Lumpkin County household received $210.53 in tax relief per household, as a result of the taxes generated by tourism economic activity. 6 | P a g e VISITORS CENTER STATISTICS 2011-2017 DESCRIPTION 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Visitors 215,953 213,271 189,132 175,409 175,016 Visitors in buses 3,529 4,737 5,598 2,657 3,756 Total buses 78 110 161 73 92 Visitor Mail-outs 4,784 16,343 4,520 4,224 3,952 Relocation Packets 224 144 385 134 414