Discovery Place Releases A Day in Pompeii Economic Impact Figures

Exhibition’s tourism economic impact totals $8 million

February 26, 2009

Discovery Place, one of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, today released the Museum’s tourism economic impact figures for the recent exhibition, A Day in Pompeii. The total tourism economic impact, including spending and the impact by guests visiting from outside of the Mecklenburg County area, was $8 million. The exhibition also generated an additional $1 million of retained, local resident discretionary and entertainment spending.

Additional statistics include:
- 62% of A Day in Pompeii attendees visited from outside Mecklenburg County
- The total, direct spending by visitors from outside of the county was $5.3 million
- 86% of guests from outside Mecklenburg County stated that the primary reason for their visit to Charlotte was to attend A Day in Pompeii
- 46% of attendees from outside of the county and 43% of residents visited a local restaurant in conjunction with their visit to A Day in Pompeii. The average spending associated with that visit was $58

A Day in Pompeii only appeared in four U.S. cities with Charlotte being the final U.S. destination. The exhibition was visited by 122,818 guests between its opening, July 11, 2008 and closing, Jan. 4, 2009.

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that foster experiences in areas that range from life science to marine biology. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with a Basic Operating Grant from the Arts & Science Council.

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