State study reports record heights for Warren County tourism industry
Warren County, Ohio – (July 12, 2018) – Warren County’s tourism economy accounted for a record $1.24 billion in total annual sales in 2017, according to a new study just released by Tourism Economics and the Ohio Tourism Division. That figure - which represents a growth rate of 6.5 percent from the previous study in 2015 - was spurred by an influx in visitation, as the county welcomed a record 12 million visitors in 2017.
The study also showed tourism supports 11,666 jobs in Warren County, or approximately 10.4% of its total private employment. Those jobs generated an estimated $285 million in wages and $148.8 million in federal, state, and local taxes in 2017.
“Obviously, we are exceedingly pleased with this growth in visitor spending and economic impact,” said Phillip S. Smith, President & CEO of the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB). “Travelers are coming to our area in record numbers, spending money, sustaining jobs and lessening the tax burden on our residents. Tourism has been Warren County’s number one industry for quite some time now, and its impact is only continuing to grow year after year. We’re very fortunate to have a terrific array of tourist-friendly attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels in our region, and those attractions and the visitors they draw benefit us all in many ways.”
Top areas of visitor spending in 2017 included recreation, retail, transportation, lodging and food & beverage.
The WCCVB is the only entity promoting Warren County to the rest of the world. It focuses its efforts on promoting extended, overnight trips to Warren County, as overnight visitors typically spend three times more than day visitors. The county has enjoyed significant growth in both its leisure and sports tourism segments.
About the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Warren County is Ohio’s Largest Playground®! With easy access from Interstates 71 and 75, visitors to Warren County can enjoy more activities within a 30-mile radius than anywhere else in Ohio. The Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a professional destination marketing and management organization whose mission is to strengthen the community by advancing economic growth and vitality through tourism and overnight stays by encouraging significant participation by visitors in the local tourism economy. Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. More than 12 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $1.24 billion and 11,666 tourism-related jobs. For additional information, visit OhiosLargestPlayground.com, call 513-204-1900 or visit the WCCVB on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagra