Special to 1808Delaware from Ohio. Find It Here.
Demand for travel is high and Ohio is well-positioned to attract tourists from outside and inside the state. Take this past weekend for example – AAA expected Ohio travel would build on the record travel numbers set in 2021 to reach a new high this Independence Day. National numbers are expected to fall just shy of 2019.
In 2021, Ohio’s tourism industry reported its second-best year ever with nearly $47 billion in visitor spending, which was only slightly behind its record year in 2019 of $48 billion. A recent travel forecast from the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) confirms this is far better than the United States average in 2021, which was only 76% of 2019 total travel spending. The USTA predicts that the rest of the U.S. won’t be back to record levels until 2024, yet Ohio is already leading the way when it comes to travel and tourism.
“This year Ohio is on track to set another tourism record,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “The diversity of our state, from our beautiful state parks that are always free for visitors, to our charming small towns and our vibrant cities – Ohio offers something for everyone.”
A recent American Travel Sentiment Study by Longwoods International reported 91% of people have travel plans in the next six months, with 39% reportedly choosing destinations closer to home due to higher fuel prices. People choosing more regional trips is good news for Ohio because Ohio is easy to drive to and drive around, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident.
“People are excited to travel,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Ohio is within a day’s drive of 60% of the U.S. and we have a lot of festivals and events that make our state a great destination for visitors eager to get away without going far.”
Ohio. Find It Here., Ohio’s tourism division, continues to launch direct marketing campaigns in and around Ohio to encourage travelers to visit. The most recent features Ohio’s Inviting Regions, where tourists have a choice of diverse destinations that range from thriving culture, arts and foodie spots in big cities to the comfort and charm of historic towns. Regions include Ohio’s larger cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo as well as Shores & Islands Ohio, Amish Country, Hocking Hills, the Birthplace of Aviation in Dayton, Appalachia, historic Marietta and Wine Country.
To plan your next Ohio trip, visit Ohio.org.
