2015 Visitor Profile Study Findings Released

A visitor profile study was conducted in Kokomo/Howard County earlier this year.  The 2015 study found that most travelers visit Howard County to see family and friends, attend local festivals and events, or conduct business or corporate travel and stay for a short trip; and that the community ranks highly with visitors for hospitality, safety, family-friendliness, and affordability.

Artist Alley in Downtown Kokomo

The study was completed by Certec, Inc., a Lexington, Kentucky-based firm specializing in destination research and market analysis, and found that over one-third of Howard County visitors come to the community to see family and friends, while another 28 percent visit the area to enjoy local events or attractions.

Sixty-two percent of those surveyed say they visit Kokomo for a short trip lasting 1 to 3 days. The findings are also good news for the local economy: in addition to visiting friends and relatives, visitors listed shopping, dining, and attending area sporting and entertainment events as top activities during their stays in Howard County.

Kokomo Municipal Stadium

Furthermore, over 85 percent of those surveyed stated that they are either “completely satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their tourism experiences in Howard County; in fact, less than 1 percent were not at all satisfied with their experiences.

Other key findings from the report:

• Primary markets for Kokomo visitor travel were Indiana (non-Howard County), Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan
• Typical visitor party includes 3 people who stay for an average of 2.4 days
• Popular attractions for visitors include Kokomo Beach Family Aquatic Center, Seiberling Mansion, Elwood Haynes Museum, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, and Kokomo Automotive Museum
• Overall, visitors averaged 4 trips to Howard County in the past 2 years
• Nearly 87% of visitors say they are likely to return to Howard County in the next 2 years

Learn more about our recent visitor profile study here.

Kokomo Automotive Museum hosting part of “Hoosier Made: World Driven” event

The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum is hosting part of “Hoosier Made: World Driven,” a three museum event to celebrate Indiana’s automotive heritage. The event, which is a Legacy Project by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, is underway and runs until Oct. 3, 2016.

“Hoosier Made: World Driven” examines the heyday of Indiana’s automobile industry when some of the world’s finest motorcars were built in the Hoosier state. The exhibit will be presented at Indiana’s three leading transportation museums: The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum, the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn.

The Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum display will feature five different Haynes and Apperson touring vehicles. The museum is home to more than 100 antique automobiles and offers visitors a glimpse of the nation’s automotive history, with an emphasis on local automotive history.

“This event shines a light on our museum and how it represents our local automotive heritage,” said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. “It showcases the role Kokomo played in the development of the American automobile, and our city’s central role in the Indiana economy.”

Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum director of development Jeff Shively said the event presents a great opportunity.

“This is the perfect chance to see three great museums, travel, and learn about Indiana’s automotive heritage,” Shively said. “And you can save money while doing it.”

Visitors can visit all three museums for the price of two. A passport (available at all three museums) can be stamped at two museums and admission to the third museum for free. Admission to the Kokomo Automotive Heritage Museum is $5.

The Kokomo Automotive Museum is located at 1500 North Reed Road (S.R. 931) and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, call 765.454.9999.