Keep tourism working for Ohio
Changes are in the works that could have a dramatic impact on the Ohio tourism industry. Funding provided through the state budget for the Ohio Tourism Division will end on June 30, 2010.
As part of 2009 budget reductions, the Ohio Tourism Division has made organizational changes. The Ohio Film Office moved out of the Tourism Division and is now housed within the Department of Development’s Marketing and Communications Office. Two other staff members transferred to other roles in the Department of Development, and their roles as group tour marketing specialist and assistant will not be filled.
The Ohio Department of Development is leading a collaboration of state tourism leaders developing a model for public/private funding of a future Destination Marketing Organization for Ohio.
Tourism works for Ohio. According to independent research, in 2007 visitors spent $39 billion in Ohio, generating $2.7 billion in state and local taxes. Additional research has demonstrated that Ohio receives $12 in new state and local taxes for every dollar it spends on advertising.
Competition is fiercer than ever for travelers whose spending translates into jobs, wages and billions of dollars in state and local tax revenues each year. Tourism marketing attracts visitors to spend money in Ohio hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, entertainment venues and shops.
Everyone in the Ohio tourism industry, indeed every Ohio resident, has a stake in ensuring that Ohio emerges from this process with a funding model that can continue to support and grow state tourism marketing. Click here for more information or to sign up to receive e-mail updates.
Experience Columbus is the official travel and tourism resource for Columbus, Ohio
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 - Columbus, Ohio 43215
Stay connected to Experience Columbus
