Southern Indiana (March 26, 2025) – Residents of Indiana’s Clark and Floyd counties agree that tourism is good for the local area according to the latest Resident Sentiment Survey conducted by Longwoods International in November 2024. SoIN Tourism last commissioned the survey in 2021.
Of those surveyed in 2024, 85% agreed that overall, tourism is good for their local area, a 10-point increase from when the survey was conducted in 2021. Additionally, 72% of respondents agree that the area benefits from a strong tourism industry, and 65% of respondents disagreed with the statement that tourism development is happening too fast in this area.
The positive sentiment toward tourism has not only increased locally but is significantly more positive than the national average. Only 58% of U.S. respondents agreed with the statement that their local area benefits form a strong tourism industry. Only 52% of Midwest respondents agreed.
“The results of the latest survey confirm to us that there’s an appetite for tourism growth in Southern Indiana,” said SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson.
Results also show a high level of pride in SoIN tourism offerings – 70% of respondents said they were proud of what Clark and Floyd counties offer tourists. And 83% agreed they were interested in tourism news.
“When residents have a high level of pride and interest in tourism, it makes it a lot easier to attract businesses and talent to grow the community,” Epperson said.
Results from the survey also help identify areas of opportunity, such as bringing more festivals to Southern Indiana and raising awareness of tourism-related careers. Results will also help SoIN Tourism and city partners get ahead of community concerns, like ensuring residents have more input on future developments and informing conversations around short-term rental regulations.
Full results of the survey are now available at gosoin.com/business/plans-research-reports/. For more information or to interview a SoIN Tourism representative, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692.
SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd Counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg, and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com.
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