Business investment shows tourism growth in Spencer County

SANTA CLAUS —The Spencer County Visitors Bureau reports that continued investment by local businesses contributed to another successful tourism year.

New businesses, additions and improvements to county attractions as well as various special events helped make 2014 a standout year for attracting visitors to the county.

“Local tourism businesses are consistently striving to improve the visitor experience,” says Melissa Brockman, executive director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. “With more special events throughout the year, the tourism season offers families things to do from late spring through the Christmas season.”

Highlights of 2014 include:

• The opening of a new attraction, The Kringle Haus Werkstatt, featuring a coffee café, local artisan items for sale and a wine-tasting room for Monkey Hollow Winery in Santa Claus.

• Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari added a classic swinging ship ride called Mayflower, Wildebeestro restaurant, Safari Outpost shop, Friday night fireworks from June 13 through Aug. 1, additional cabanas and remodeled Mrs. Klaus’ Kitchen.

• Additions and improvements at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.

• New exhibits and facility improvements at the Santa Claus Museum & Village.

• Vineyard and equipment upgrades, building renovation and expansion and landscape enhancements at Monkey Hollow Winery.

• Lincoln Amphitheatre added two weeks to the performance schedule of “A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale.”

• Santa’s Cottages added a fishing lake and expanded Elf Park to include more playground equipment.

• Family Fall-O-Weekends packages contributed to a 19 percent increase in innkeeper’s tax collected during September and October.

• The innkeeper’s tax collected in December increased by 6 percent, which is attributed to the three-weekend Santa Claus Christmas Celebration.