The Economic Value of WTAMU Main Report

Visitor spending impact
Tens of thousands of out-of-region visitors came to WTAMU in FY 2017-18 to
participate in various activities, including commencement, sports events, and
orientation. WTAMU estimated that 41,420 out-of-region visitors attended
events it hosted in FY 2017-18. Table 2.6
presents the average expenditures per
person-trip for food, transportation, and
other personal expenses (including shopping
and entertainment). Based on these
figures, the gross spending of out-of-region
visitors totaled $3.8 million in FY 2017-18.
However, some of this spending includes
monies paid to the university through nontextbook
items (e.g., event tickets, food,
etc.). These have already been accounted
for in the operations impact and should thus be removed to avoid doublecounting.
We estimate that on-campus sales generated by out-of-region visitors
totaled $851.2 thousand. The net sales from out-of-region visitors in FY
2017-18 thus come to $3 million.
Tens of thousands of out-of-region visitors
came to WTAMU in FY 2017-18 to participate
in various activities, including commencement,
sports events, and orientation.
TABLE 2.6: AVERAGE PER-TRIP VISITOR COSTS AND SALES GENERATED BY
OUT-OF-REGION VISITORS IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, FY 2017-18*
Food $55
Entertainment and shopping $17
Transportation $21
Total expenses per visitor $93
Number of out-of-region visitors 41,420
Gross sales $3,831,350
On-campus sales (excluding textbooks) $851,181
Net off-campus sales $2,980,169
* Costs have been adjusted to account for the length of stay of out-of-region visitors. Transportation has been adjusted
downward to recognize that, on average, two visitors share the costs of transportation.
Source: Sales calculations estimated by Emsi based on data provided by WTAMU.
Chapter 2: Economic Impacts on the Texas Panhandle Economy 32