According to a press release, Shores & Islands Ohio has once again set a record for travel and tourism in the region, both in terms of visitor numbers and economic impact.
The region is expected to welcome an estimated 13 million visitors in 2023, the press release said.
Based on figures from a recently released biannual study by Tourism Economics, one of the world’s leading providers of economic analysis, visitors to the region helped generate $3.1 billion in tourism revenue in 2023, an increase of 17% over the 2021 study, the press release said.
“These new numbers underscore the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the region’s economic vitality and underscore the region’s continued appeal as a top Midwest destination,” said Larry Fletcher, president of Shores & Islands Ohio, in the release. “Known for its scenic landscapes, coastal communities, historic sites, vibrant local culture and an amazing variety of fun attractions, this region has become a cornerstone of Ohio’s economy.”
Total tourism revenue includes direct, indirect and induced expenditure and covers a range of different economic activities including transport, leisure, retail, accommodation and food and drink, the press release said.
The breakdown of direct spending by sector for the region is approximately 17% retail, 16% transport, 13% accommodation, 12% food and drink, and 11% leisure and entertainment, according to the press release.
In Shores & Islands, Ohio, tourism also means jobs.
According to the press release, around 14,000 people are employed locally in the travel and tourism industry.
The press release states that tourism salaries in the two-county region would be $477 million in 2023.
In 2023, the region’s tourism industry also generated $382 million in taxes, the press release said.
More than $106 million in taxes were collected in the state of Ohio from tourism activities in Erie and Ottawa counties, and another $89 million was collected from county taxes between Erie and Ottawa counties, the press release said.
Tax revenues generated from tourism help support many municipal services that the region’s residents depend on, thereby reducing their tax burden, the press release said.
It is estimated that in 2023, state and local tourism tax revenues would result in tax savings of $5,155 per household in Erie County and $1,682 per household in Ottawa County, the press release said.
Together with other counties bordering Lake Erie, including Lucas, Sandusky, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula, the Lake Erie coastal region had a total economic impact of $20 billion, the press release said.
The Lake Erie region also created 131,000 jobs and collected $2.6 billion in taxes, all increases over 2021, the press release said.
Data for this study is coordinated by the Department of Development, TourismOhio and conducted by Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics, the press release said.
