Columbia County's expanding tourism and recreation industry generated more than $426,000 in hotel-motel taxes in 2007, representing a 37 percent increase from the previous year.

The 5 percent tax, of which 40 percent is allocated to the Convention & Visitors Bureau with the rest going to the county, is a measure of the growth in visitation from events such as bass tournaments, said Beda Johnson, the bureau's executive director.

"Of that money, 60 percent goes to the county, which in turn uses it for projects that include recruiting more tournaments that in turn bring even more tourism dollars," she said.

"We're fortunate to have a county blessed with the revenues from these tournaments, and they actually spend it on things that will bring in more people."

In 2007, the county played host to several major events - including fishing, archery and disc golf tournaments - that created an overall regional economic impact of more than $1,149,000, she said. Of that figure, direct spending in the county was about $771,000.

"They stayed, they slept, they ate, they bought gasoline and generally spent their money here," she said.

Such economic estimates, she said, are very conservative and are likely much higher because of retail spending by visitors and the increase in gasoline prices this year.

"With a lot of these tournaments, I'll guarantee you every one of them will go to Academy Sports or somewhere and buy whatever lures they think they need to win the tournament," she said. "Regardless of which store they are shopping at, they are still spending money."

The bureau estimates a 5 percent increase in recreational visitors to the county - from 100,000 in 2006 to about 105,000 in 2007.

"These are people from outside the county who come to our visitors center, go up to Wildwood or even visit the Canal Headgates," she said.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.