Tourism spending in Oconee County

A new report places tourism spending last year in Oconee County at $52.5 million. The report, “Economic Impact of Travel on South Carolina,” was released this week by the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. It shows that tourism expenditures grew nearly 3% from 2011 and that tourism directly supports 430 travel and tourism jobs in Oconee County, with a payroll of $8 million. According to the announcement from Oconee PRT and Mountain Lakes CVB, Oconee County ranks 21st in tourism expenditures in the state and has experienced growth in visitor spending every year since 2006.