Shorter Visitor Stays, More Guests Shaping Summit County Revenue
Summit County data sourced to Placer.ai and presented to the Summit County Council show the average visitor stay has fallen from pandemic era highs to roughly four days year round. The trend matters because about 65 percent of county sales tax revenue is estimated to come from tourists and non residents, and officials are weighing the implications as they finalize the 2026 budget.
Summit County officials were presented with data sourced to Placer.ai showing a decline in the average length of visitor stays, a change that surfaced during 2026 budget discussions. County Chief Financial Officer Matt Leavitt said the county saw longer stays earlier in the pandemic era, which he attributed in part to remote work digital nomads, but that the average has since shortened. Current averages hover around four days throughout the year, down about 30 minutes to an hour from 2021 highs.
The shift in stay length comes alongside a slight increase in the total number of unique visitors, creating a mixed picture for revenue. County estimates attribute roughly 65 percent of sales tax collections to tourists and non residents, meaning changes in visitation patterns can have outsized effects on local budgets for roads, public safety, and community services. Seasonal peaks also persist, with Park City drawing winter spikes while the county as a whole sees higher visitation in late summer and fall.
For businesses that depend on overnight guests, shorter stays may reduce per visitor spending on lodging and certain local services even as higher head counts sustain retail and restaurant sales. For policymakers the change complicates forecasting, because an increase in unique visitors does not automatically replace the revenue lost when stays are shorter. Leavitt raised the trend before the Council as part of revenue planning for the coming year, noting the need to account for evolving travel behavior as the county finalizes its budget.
Public opportunities for input and scrutiny are set this week. The county has scheduled public budget hearings at the Sheldon Richins Building in Kimball Junction, and a Dec 10 hearing in Coalville is on the calendar to discuss revenue projections and spending priorities. As officials balance investment in infrastructure and core services with the countys reliance on visitor spending, residents and local business owners will see the outcome reflected in tax rates, service levels, and funding decisions for the year ahead.
