“Tourism spending in Thurston County set a record in 2006, rising to $265.4 million, a 9 percent increase over the previous year, the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development reported Wednesday [Feb. 27].

The 2006 data are the most current available because they source federal and state information that is released at different times, CTED spokeswoman Kristin Jacobsen said Wednesday [Feb. 27].

The data show:

Total spending increased to $265.4 million from $241.7 million in 2005.

Tourism spending generated $64.8 million in earnings for the county’s tourism businesses.

Tourism employed 2,980 people in the county,” quoting The Olympian.

Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Press Release.

Further, Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment has tracked the economic impact of visiting students from the world-over to Yelm for the first time in many years and reported for the calendar year 2007 almost $2.5 million in student spending in the area. Their report was highlighted in full-page advertisements in The Olympian and Nisqually Valley News. This is a huge contribution to Southeast Thurston County’s economy by 6,229 students attending the Yelm-area School’s events last year.