Tourism is big business in Indiana, but primarily resides in the hundreds of small businesses that dot the state.

Here are the ten important facts about the state's tourism industry from the Indiana Office of Tourism Development:

1. One in ten jobs is related to the hospitality and tourism industry in Indiana, resulting in more than 257,000 employed.

2. Of those, more than 181,000 are directly employed by the tourism sectors.

3. Nearly $6.74 billion in wages was generated either directly or indirectly because of Indiana's tourism industry in 2006.

4. More than 62 million visitors annually travel the state to enjoy its parks, museums, resorts, sporting events and local culture.

5. More than $10.36 billion is spent annually by Indiana visitors, generating more than $1 billion in state and local taxes.

6. In fact, in 2006 Indiana visitors generated $901.8 million in state tax revenues and $125.9 million in local tax revenues.

7. Although Indiana has one of the lowest tourism budgets in the country, the state's investment in advertising and promotions still generates $285 million in overall tourism economic impact, which is more than a 200% rate of return.

8. Every $1 spent by the state for tourism promotion brings in $20 in new sales tax revenue.

9. Seven of every 10 consumers who log on to the state's tourism web site, www.visitindiana.com, convert to visitors - that's a 70% conversion rate.

10 And the most wonderful thing about Indiana tourism is that investment by visitors occurs in the very year in which those promotional dollars are spent - giving an immediate return!

Sources:

Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University and Regional Economic Information Systems, Bureau of Economic Analysis

DK Shifflet Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism in Indiana, 2006

Strategic Marketing and Research, Inc., 2008

TNS Brand and Communications, 2008