<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3N0gaE_0uunGr2p00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3N0gaE_0uunGr2p00" width="1050" height="750" >Once again, Shores &amp; Islands Ohio has set a record for travel and tourism in the region, both in terms of visitation and economic impact, according to a news release.In 2023, the region welcomed an estimated 13 million visitors, the release said.Based on numbers recently released in a bi-annual study conducted by Tourism Economics, one of the world’s leading providers of economic analysis, visitors to the region helped generate $3.1 billion in tourism sales in 2023, an increase of 17% from the 2021 study, according to the release.“These new numbers reinforce the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the economic vitality of the region and highlight the area’s continued appeal as a top travel destination in the Midwest,” said Larry Fletcher, president of Shores &amp; Islands Ohio, in the release. “Renowned for its picturesque landscapes, coastal communities, historic sites, vibrant local culture, and an amazing array of fun attractions, this region has emerged as a cornerstone of Ohio’s economy.”Total tourism sales include direct, indirect and induced spending and represent a number of different economic activities, including transportation, recreation, retail, lodging and food and beverage, according to the release.The direct sales spending breakdown by sector for the area is approximately 17% retail, 16% transportation, 13% lodging, 12% food &amp; beverage, and 11% recreation and entertainment, the release said.In Shores &amp; Islands Ohio, tourism also means jobs.Approximately 14,000 people are employed within the travel and tourism industry locally, according to the release.Tourism wages were $477 million in 2023 for the two-county region, the release said.In 2023, the tourism industry in the region also generated $382 million in taxes, according to the release.More than $106 million in state of Ohio taxes were generated by Erie County and Ottawa County tourism activities, with an additional $89 million in county taxes between Erie and Ottawa counties, the release said.Tax dollars generated through tourism help support many of the municipal services that area residents count on, and reduce their tax bills, according to the release.It is estimated that in 2023, state and local tourism tax receipts contributed tax savings of $5,155 per household in Erie County and $1,682 per household in Ottawa County, the release said.Along with other Lake Erie-bordering counties, including Lucas, Sandusky, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula, the Lake Erie coastal region had a total economic impact of $20 billion combined, according to the release.The Lake Erie region also combined to create 131,000 jobs and $2.6 billion in taxes, all increases over 2021, the release said.The data for this study is coordinated by Department of Development, TourismOhio and executed by Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics, the release said.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Shores & Islands Ohio tourism economy continues to thrive

Once again, Shores & Islands Ohio has set a record for travel and tourism in the region, both in terms of visitation and economic impact, according to a news release. In 2023, the region welcomed an estimated 13 million visitors, the release said. Based on numbers recently released in a...