Spencer County invests $18 million in tourism | Business

As the summer nears, tourism businesses in Spencer County are preparing for the peak visitor season.

“With over $18 million being invested into the local tourism industry, Spencer County continues to grow and expand,” says Melissa Brockman, executive director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. “It’s exciting to see all of the additions and enhancements that will create an even better visitor experience this year.”

Tourism investments for 2012 include:
•    Mammoth, the world’s longest water coaster, at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari; along with Sparkler, a vertical tower swing; park-wide Wi-Fi; cabanas in the water park; and two new special events: Happy Halloween Weekends and Rock the World Christian Music Festival;
•    Pepper’s Ridge Winery, a new business near Rockport to open this summer;
•    Six additional “Rudolph’s Christmas Cabins” at Lake Rudolph Campground & Resort;
•    An outdoor sports pool and splash pod at Santa’s Cottages;
•    Full restoration of the historic 1935 Santa Statue and moving the 1880 Santa Claus Church and original Santa Claus Post Office to a new location for the Santa Claus Museum;
•    Improved trails and a new horse barn at Santa’s Stables; and
•    The Santa Claus Christmas Store has expanded and is now nearly triple in size for 2012. Two embroidery machines have also been added to personalize stockings and tree skirts.