The Fourth-Largest Tourism Economy in the State Goes to St. Tammany

/in

The University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center, known for its economic analysis and forecast, conducted a study regarding the forecast of tourism indicators. According to their recent analysis St. Tammany Parish has the fourth-largest tourism economy in Louisiana.

The study, done on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, found that visitors to the parish spent $804.72 million in 2018. This is 12% higher from the figure reported in 2016 and 7% up from 2017.

The study was shared at the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission’s monthly meeting at the Harbor Center near Slidell by chief executive officer Donna O’Daniels.

In the meeting it was shared that the parish tourism employment was also up 8% from the year before. It was reported that 1,149 jobs generated $274.59 million in earnings in 2018. The parish also generated $45.95 million in state taxes and $37.67 million in local taxes.

The positive findings will be shared in the new edition of the visitor’s guide and also on the commission’s website www.louisiananorthshore.com.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

What Millennials Want and Don’t Want In a Home

/in

Millennials are now a target market for the residential real estate industry. Millennials are those born between 1981 – 1996 according to Pew Research Center. In a nutshell, four out of five millennial buyers can go without wine cellars, elevators and laminate countertops. On the flip-side, they want laundry rooms, hardwood front exteriors, patios and garage storage.

 

The 2018 study, put  out by the NAHB Economics team, surveyed prospective buyers on 175 different features. Below is a list of the 10 most wanted features and the 10 less desired features for millennials.

When surveyed millennials had a distinct list of desired features they want in a new home. First on the list is a laundry room. Eighty-six percent of millennials said a laundry room is a must. Next were hardwood floors coming in at 81% as well as a patio at 81%. Garage storage comes in next at just 1% lower at 80%. A walk-in pantry, exterior lighting and ceiling fans all ranked at 79%. The last three on the list were all at 78% which includes a front porch, table space for eating and a double sink.

 

Millennial least wanted features ironically are the most desired in the baby boomers and seniors. Elevators made the number one slot on the list at 47%, a feature that baby boomers and seniors would benefit from. A unique feature from most, cork flooring, came in at second at 33%. A wine cellar, a feature many think is luxurious, came in at 32%. Three features that all came in at 30% are laminate countertops, golf course communities as well as a high density community. A feature for animal lovers, a pet washing station, came in at 29%. Two features at 27% are laminate flooring and a master bath that only features a shower stall. Last on the list for least wanted features is dual toilets in the master bath which came in at 27%.

As millennial’s age there will be a shift in their preferences. This has already been the case as seen in the amount of bedrooms desired. In 2007, 80% of millennials desired one full master bedroom suite along with three standard bedrooms. This has shifted as shown by the study in 2018 which reports only 60% desire one full master bedroom suite along with three standard bedrooms.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.