A report was recently released from the State of Ohio with tourism industry highlights showing statistics for 2014 and percentage of increase from 2013:
- Ohio saw an estimated 200 million visits (+2.8%)
- 38 million overnight visits in Ohio (+2.6%)
- Overnight visitors outspend day trip visitors 3:1 - $112 for day trips vs. $341 for overnight trips.
- Direct visitor spending totaled $31 billion (+4.6%)
- The multiplier effect of visitor spending generated approximately $40 billion in sales (+4.7%)
- Tourism supported about 412,000 Ohio jobs (+1.8%)
How does tourism impact our members? Those that are involved in retail, hospitality, art, culture and recreation would say that it is absolutely necessary for the health of their businesses and organizations. One local merchant recently commented that over half of her business comes from outside Yellow Springs primarily in the region around Columbus and Cincinnati.
But all of our businesses and the entire community benefit from tourism either directly or indirectly. It starts with the multiplier effect of local businesses involved in tourism purchasing goods and services from other businesses such as when a tourism business uses a local accountant to do their taxes or hires a local contractor to paint their building.
Think of the non-profit organizations that thrive because of the support of tourism dollars from outside the community including Glen Helen, Little Art Theatre, YS Arts Council and John Bryan Community Pottery to name just a few. Or the Boy Scouts and PTO who use visitor parking at Street Fair as a primary fundraiser.
Tax revenues generated by the tourism industry benefit the community including income tax paid by employees, property tax paid by the building owner and sales tax paid by retail and some service businesses. It is that sales tax that provides money to the Local Government Fund that is the main source of State and County revenue to the Village. And income and property taxes make up nearly 95% of Village revenues.
But even more important are the intangibles. Visitors are attracted to a destination with an authentic sense of place that offers a new and exciting experience and brings a feeling of joy and satisfaction. Those same attributes attract people to live and work in our community.
Visitors, residents and employees alike are enhanced by the same richness of experience when they hike in Glen Helen, ride the bike trail, see a movie at the Little Art, explore downtown, enjoy the public art or simply sit on a bench and relax.
So the next time you're frustrated because you can't find a parking place downtown on a beautiful Saturday afternoon or there are cars parked in front of your house on Street Fair, remember that those visitors are critical to the success of our local businesses. And when you see a stranger downtown, smile. say hello and make them feel welcome. Chances are they'll return and spend even more money to the benefit of the entire community.
