LTCC’s Spanish Institute dominated by out-of-towners
Everything Spanish was the rule of the day this month at Lake Tahoe Community College with 527 students attending the college’s 18th Intensive Spanish Summer Institute.
Approximately 470 of those students came from outside the Lake Tahoe Basin. With them came an influx of more than $60,000 for local merchants, hotel owners, restaurants and more, according to college officials.
According to a survey commissioned by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and conducted by Strategic Marketing Group, the average tourist party spends more than $500 a day on food, lodging, transportation, recreation, gaming, entertainment, and retail shopping.
ISSI Director Sue O’Connor said last year more than 40 percent of ISSI students were returning ones.
That certainly sounds like a high projection, $500 a day spent while here. I wonder how many in the party?
There’s no doubt that the Spanish Institute brings many to our community. It’s a wonderful program, thanks to the staff at LTCC.
Do the math Granny. 470 students X 500bucks a day X just one day = $235,000.00 bucks for one day. Now we need to know how many days the average student stayed to determine the total dollars spent in our community.
Something tells me these numbers are bogus and inflated. Does anyone know the truth? Maybe the educrats at LTCC know, but don’t count (no pun) on it.
Turnip: The students came and had another great time at the Institute. Why does it matter how many days they spent, they came and stayed at least part of the time. Surveys are conducted on the average tourist, and not by the college, so lets say these participants spent only $200 a day (not counting tuition and fees) and stayed for 3 days, that’s still $282,000 in extra income/business for our community.
Thank you to LTCC for providing a great event for all participants. Everyone I’ve heard from that attends has a great time, congratulations!
Why must the dialog be only about the money? Can’t we just credit the college for bringing this event to the town and enriching everyone involved? Many people, even some from as far away as Florida, came to this event. I think it is amazing that ISSI has that big of a following. Keep up the good work LTCC.
Agreed Heather…I thought the same thing until I read “turnip’s” comment and felt compelled to reply. They do a great job with this event every year.