Wabash County Tourism Spending Hits Record High in 2024

New report shows $8.1 million increase in visitor spending over previous year

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Visit Wabash County has announced the results of the 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism in Wabash County report, which shows a record $86.7 million in visitor spending - an increase of $8.1 million over the previous year. The report highlights the significant economic impact of tourism in the county, supporting over 1,100 jobs and generating millions in tax revenue.

Why it matters

Tourism is a major economic driver for Wabash County, supporting local businesses, jobs, and tax revenue. The record-breaking tourism spending numbers underscore the importance of the industry to the region's overall economic success and quality of life.

The details

The report, conducted by Rockport Analytics, found that visitor spending in Wabash County totaled $86.7 million in 2024, with the largest shares going towards food & beverages ($23.9 million), retail ($24.8 million), and transportation ($19 million). This visitor spending supported 1,132 jobs and $20.7 million in labor income. Tourism is the 5th largest industry in the county by jobs.

  • The 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism in Wabash County report was released in February 2026.
  • The report analyzes data from 2024, as it takes time to collect and analyze the tourism data.

The players

Visit Wabash County

The official destination marketing organization for Wabash County, Indiana, responsible for promoting tourism and overseeing the annual economic impact report.

Deb Conner

The 2026 Board President for Visit Wabash County.

Christine Flohr

The executive director of tourism for Visit Wabash County.

Rockport Analytics

The firm that conducted the key metrics and economic impact assessment for the tourism report.

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

The organization that co-organized the program that led to the tourism report.

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What they’re saying

“Tourism is a powerful economic engine for Wabash County—supporting local businesses, elevating our unique assets, and bringing people together. These numbers underscore just how important tourism is to our county's economic success.”

— Deb Conner, 2026 Board President, Visit Wabash County

“The study shows that Wabash County achieved record tourism spending. It's essential for community leaders and residents to understand the meaningful role tourism plays in shaping our quality of place and driving growth. We share these findings annually— alongside our Year in Review Report— to ensure transparency and highlight the important work our team continues to deliver.”

— Christine Flohr, Executive Director of Tourism, Visit Wabash County

What’s next

Visit Wabash County plans to release its annual Year in Review Report later this year, which will provide additional details and context around the 2024 tourism data.

The takeaway

Wabash County's record-breaking tourism spending in 2024 underscores the vital role the industry plays in supporting local businesses, jobs, and tax revenue. As the 5th largest industry in the county, tourism continues to be a key driver of economic growth and community development.