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$165 million credited to tourism in Geauga
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - March 14, 2012)
$165 million credited to tourism in Geauga
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
"Tourism is a revenue generator," Lynda Nemeth, director of the Geauga County Tourism Council, told Geauga County Commissioners last week.
For every dollar spent on tourism, she said, at least $14 is returned to the county from those who visit.
According to state calculations, Geauga County received $165.8 million in total tourism revenue last year, and $11 million in state and local taxes were contributed to the economy. The state estimates that tourism also supports 3,251 jobs in the county, Ms. Nemeth said. "It's a legitimate return on our investment."
The tourism council's 2012 budget is $125,000.
There's more to it than just increases in spending at local stores, restaurants and overnight accommodations.
Lisa Kusner, general manager of Aurora Farms Premium Outlets in nearby Portage County, said people, including herself, have been charmed by Geauga County during one visit. In fact, it led her, as well as her brother and a co-worker, to choose Geauga County for their homes, she said. "And it really started at a pancake breakfast."
Ms. Nemeth said the tourism council works hard to squeeze its budget, and it provides a big return for a small expense.
Much of the work is accomplished by 1 1/2 workers, she said. Its board is made up of 13 volunteers.
Fundraisers provided more than $11,000 last year that was used to advertise the county's attractions, Ms. Nemeth said. The group also works with Ohio's tourism programs and regional ones, such as Positively Cleveland.
Among its expenses is the printing of 95,000 visitor guides, which ran out last year. They are placed at rest stops along highways and the Ohio Turnpike and at various businesses in the county, she said.
The organization is made up of 171 members, which are mostly small businesses in the county.
Last year, a conservative estimate showed that the county drew 137 motor coaches with tourists, Ms. Nemeth said. It drew people from 36 states and 12 foreign countries, she said.
This year, a full slate of programs is expected to draw more tourists, she said.
A new Amish Heritage Center in Middlefield already is drawing interest, she said. Another newcomer to the county is the Geauga Park District's Observatory Park in Montville Township that is one of only eight "dark sky" observatories in the world, she said.
Elizabeth Wantz, curator for the Geauga County Historical Society's Century Village in Burton, will host Ohio Chautauqua at Century Village grounds July 3 to 7. The event is expected to draw about 500 per day and will feature a look into frontier Ohio with characters from history coming to life, she said, including Lewis and Clark, Johnny Appleseed, Aaron Burr and Chief Logan.
A kickoff to the event will be held April 12, with a contingent starting in Cleveland that morning, arriving on Chardon Square at 12:30 p.m. and finishing the day at Century Village at 6 p.m.
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