Comparison of Estimated Total Canadian Visitor Spending 1995 to 1996 Based on Christmas Season Sampling

In order to make an accurate comparison of the 1996 Canadian visitor spending survey results with the 1995 survey, the count of Canadians crossing into Clinton County through the Route 276 border post must be subtracted from the 1996 calculations.

If the Route 276 data are not included, the average weekly border crossings of Canadians into Clinton County in 1996 was 59,720 at the three border posts included in the analysis of the 1995 retail survey. Forty percent of this is 23,888 (a very slight rise over the 23,809 average weekly Canadian shoppers estimated to have entered in 1995). This figure is multiplied by the average spending per trip of $168.89 calculated as a weighted average from the consumer survey and then multiplied by 52 weeks. The average spending per trip calculated from the 1996 survey indicates an increase of $12.47 (8%) over the average spending per trip in 1995. The following is a strict comparison of the 1995 and 1996 retail survey results.

Estimation of Total Annual Spending by Canadian Visitors in Clinton County based on Christmas Season Sampling

40% of Average Weekly Border Crossings x Average Spending Per Trip x Weeks Per   Year = Estimated Total Annual Spending
1996 23,888 x $168.89 x 52 = $209,791,104.60
1995 23,809 x $156.42 x 52 = $193,658,596.50

The 1996 survey indicates an increase in Canadian visitor spending of $16,132,508.10 (8%) over 1995. The increase in total estimated annual Canadian visitor spending appears to reflect an increase in the average spending per trip and not an increase in the average number of weekly Canadian visitors. In 1995, the approximately $194 million in Canadian visitor spending was equal to 24% of the estimated total gross sales of all industries subject to sales tax in Clinton County in fiscal year 1995. In 1996, Canadian visitor spending equals 26% of the estimated total gross sales of all industries subject to sales tax in Clinton County in fiscal year 1996.  

Estimated Annual Sales Tax Revenue from Spending by Canadian Visitors in Clinton County

Estimated Total Annual Spending x Sales Tax Rate = Sales Tax Revenues
1996 $209,791,104.60 x .07 = $14,685,377.32
1995 $193,658,596.50 x .07 = $13,556,101.75

In 1996, Clinton County’s portion of the sales tax raised by Canadian retail spending is 3% of $209,791,104.60 or $6,293,733.14. Clinton County’s portion of estimated total sales taxes collected for fiscal 1996 is $23,866,795. The Canadian contribution is, therefore, 26% of estimated total County sales taxes revenue in 1996. This represents a 2% increase in the share of estimated total County sales tax revenue generated by Canadian spending from 1995 to 1996.