Current news

“Tourism Generates Revenue” Touted to Ohio’s Legislators
The state of Ohio benefited from a successful advertising campaign by the Ohio Tourism Division launched during the spring and summer of 2008.  State Tourism Director Amir Eylon announced the results of the state’s return on investment study during Ohio Tourism Legislative Day held on March 18 at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in Columbus.

The division’s 2008 advertising campaign, “Too Much Fun for Just One Day,” brought approximately 1.8 million visitors to Ohio, which resulted in about $437 million dollars.  According to research compiled by Longwoods International, the campaign also netted nearly $31 million in state and local taxes for a return on investment of $12 per every $1 spent on advertising.  Approximately $7 went to state and approximately $5 went to local tax coffers.
Eylon said the results were very good, especially considering the launch of a new campaign.
About half of the persons interviewed for the research study were aware of the advertising campaign, with print advertising being the most recognized form of advertising.

Tourism industry leaders from around the state were in attendance as part of Ohio Tourism Legislative Day activities.  They reminded state legislators that “Tourism Generates Revenue” and asked their elected officials to support funding for the division’s marketing efforts in the state budget.  It was not difficult to make the case that tourism promotion not only pays for itself, it generates millions of dollars for other state programs such as education, public safety and healthcare.

  

OHS Partnerships Cut Costs, Keep Historical Sites Open
The Ohio Historical Society’s (OHS) mission is to preserve aspects of the state's past.  However, the organization is challenged presently by funding cuts requiring the society to reassess its strategic plan. 

The organization recently laid off 25 people and reduced operation hours at 13 sites.  OHS faces a potential 11 percent budget cut for the biennium beginning July 1 after enduring 10 percent budget cuts in 2008.

The society has sought opportunities for potential partnerships with local organizations or businesses to hand over the management of daily operations and prevent scaling back the hours of the sites, yet maintaining its role as administrator of the site, said Kim Schuette, OHS communications manager.  This ensures that capital improvements would be managed by the society, but would relieve OHS from operating expenses, she said.
By law, the state of Ohio requires that OHS perform certain historical and administrative functions at its 58 sites.  Ohio has the largest site system of any state historical organization.
Schuette said potential partners must be able to sustain and maintain proper management functions.

One management model doesn’t fit every situation.  In some cases, multiple groups such as local chambers of commerce, convention and visitor bureaus and local historical groups, have combined efforts to manage and keep sites open and running.
Recently, the society reached an agreement to have the Tuscarawas County CVB assume daily management of Fort Laurens at Bolivar. 

Throughout the past year, Warren County Historical Society assumed management of Glendower in Lebanon and an agreement was reached with the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board to manage the Ohio Statehouse Education and Visitors Center. 
OHS has also worked with local communities to assume management of some sites such as Cedar Bog Nature Preserve near Urbana, Schoenbrunn Village in New Philadelphia, the Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool and Tallmadge Church in Tallmadge.  The set of terms for all partnerships is for one year.  This allows OHS to review and re-evaluate each agreement.

Ohio Tourism Division Announces Successful 2008 Ad Campaign
State Tourism Director Amir Eylon revealed the results of last year’s tourism advertising campaign calling it a success.  Research by Longwoods International indicated the campaign generated $437 million in new visitor spending.  Resulting tax revenue from the spending during the May-to-October campaign season was estimated at $30.9 million.  The return on investment showed that $12 in state and local tax revenue was generated for every public dollar spent on the $2.6 million campaign.

Northern Cincinnati CVB to Close in October
After being notified that the Northern Cincinnati CVB (NCCVB) would not receive funding for 2010, the NCCVB Board of Directors decided to close the CVB on October, 31, 2009.  Hamilton County and the Cincinnati City Council had already voted to discontinue funding for the CVB following a dispute over how to divide Hamilton County’s $2.8 million hotel tax along with a concern that the tax supports NCCVB as well as Cincinnati USA CVB and the bonds for the Duke Energy Center expansion. 

Beginning this year, the tax will also need to help pay for the expansion of the Sharonville Convention Center in northern Cincinnati, which raised concern as to whether there is enough money to be distributed.  The decision to disband the CVB was not due to performance as the bureau had its most successful year in 2008.  Cincinnati USA CVB will absorb the projects and duties of the NCCVB upon its closure.

CVB Assumes Operations of Fort Laurens
Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCCVB) reached an agreement with the Ohio Historical Society to take over the daily operations of Fort Laurens at Bolivar, the county’s second oldest historical site.  Plans are to open the site full time between May 1 and October 31 (the site was only open 30 days during the same dates in 2008).

A New Look?
The Ohio Travel Association is in the process of creating a truly unique, distinctive brand that resonates with its stakeholders.  OTA has been working with a firm that specializes in developing brands and brand strategies, to position the association in a manner that reflects its strengths.  Input was received from various stakeholders to develop core messages and to assist with the creation of our new image and brand.

OTA Board Elects Doyle as New Officer
Michelle Doyle, Toledo Zoo group sales manager, has been elected to serve as secretary on the Ohio Travel Association Executive Board.  Doyle had been serving as a Northeast Ohio Representative.  She has served as past chair of the Conference on Tourism and currently chairs OTA’s Scholarship/Student Affairs Committee, which oversees the Bill Schwartz Memorial Scholarship Award.  “I hope to achieve awareness on the positive impact that tourism has in Ohio, especially Northwest Ohio,” Doyle said.  Doyle replaces Kelly Blazosky who recently left her position at the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Rom and Kontos Elected to OTA Board Positions
Dianna Rom, Regional Director of Sales for Ohio State Park Resorts and Conference Centers/Xanterra Parks and Resorts, has been elected to be an at large member on the OTA Board.

Alexandrea Kontos, Marketing Manager for The Lakeside Association, has been elected to be a Northwest Representative on the OTA Board.

Proposed School Year Extension Poses Concern to Tourism Industry
The Governor’s Education Reform Plan includes a proposal to extend the current school year by 20 days.  According to the Ohio Travel Association (OTA), this issue is likely to have a direct impact on the state’s tourism industry.  "Any effort to shorten Ohio's traditional summer break in the school calendar would deliver a knockout blow to hundreds of businesses that rely on family travel during the summer months,” said Marc McQuaid, executive director of the Ohio Travel Association. 

“In Ohio, we are fortunate to have some of the nation's finest amusement parks, state parks and lodges, summertime sporting events, museums, sport fishing, and unique places to explore and learn during family recreation,” McQuaid said.  “It would be extremely hard to accept a state-imposed barrier to accessing these summertime family traditions.”  The Ohio Travel Association will continue to monitor this issue and work to minimize its impact on the tourism industry.

Huntley Named to Ohio Great Lakes Compact Advisory Board
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Executive Director Melinda Huntley has been appointed to the Ohio Great Lakes Compact Advisory Board.  Huntley, a past-President of the Ohio Travel Association, represents the tourism industry sector on the board.  The board’s goals are to develop recommendations for policy and legislation needed to implement the compact, which was ratified in December 2008.  Among the board’s duties are identifying existing water usage capacities of 100,000 gallons per day or more so these can be set as baselines and grandfathered into the legislation.  Tourism-related businesses that have the capacity to use more than this amount should contact Huntley at huntley@coastalohio.com.

Ohio Tourism Division Announces Successful 2008 Ad Campaign
State Tourism Director Amir Eylon revealed the results of last year’s tourism advertising campaign calling it a success.  Research by Longwoods International indicated the campaign generated $437 million in new visitor spending.  Resulting tax revenue from the spending during the May-to-October campaign season was estimated at $30.9 million.  The return on investment showed that $12 in state and local tax revenue was generated for every public dollar spent on the $2.6 million campaign.

Blazosky to Leave Marietta CVB for NY
Marietta/ Washington County CVB Executive Director Kelly Blazosky is resigning and has accepted a new position as president of the Oneida County, New York CVB.  Blazosky has served as a board member and an officer with the Ohio Travel Association.  Her service to OTA has been greatly appreciated.  She has been with the Marietta CVB since 2000.  Her resignation will take effect March 20th.  A search has begun to find her replacement. 

Heartland Travel Showcase Makes Impact
More than 600 hospitality and tourism professionals convened at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh from February 20-22 for the 2009 Heartland Travel Showcase.  Heartland Travel Showcase, produced by the Ohio Travel Association, builds relationships between hospitality industry professionals to promote the Heartland’s unique destinations. 
In its 24th year, Heartland Travel Showcase is recognized as the largest regional motorcoach marketplace in the United States.  The trade show offered networking, appointments and Fam tour opportunities along with seminars and workshops. 

Motorcoach tours are big business, and even more so this year as travelers are considering alternative travel options in light of the economy.  According to research by the American Bus Association, a visit by a one-day motorcoach group can impact a destination’s economy from approximately $2,500 to $4,500.  A visit by an overnight tour group can impact a destination’s economy from $5,000 to more than $16,000, depending on whether the group stays for one or two nights. 

About 400 sellers at the showcase represented destinations from the Midwest and surrounding states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.

Join OTA’s LinkedIn Group
OTA is now hosting a group page on LinkedIn, which is open to all current OTA members.  OTA members will be automatically accepted into the group and will have access to other tourism professionals and industry news.  Group members may also generate topical discussions.  Click here to join the OTA Group on LinkedIn and make your professional network aware of your participation in the Ohio Travel Association.