The Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau recently released a study showing that tourism in the area supports more than 10 percent of the county’s salaried employment.
The study was conducted between the bureau and the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Tourism and completed by Longwoods International, a surveying company, and Tourism Economics, which analyzed the economy. The study showed that tourism in Athens County strongly impacts the local economy.
Though many may only associate tourism with hotels, restaurants and attractions, the industry affects more than just local hotels and establishments.
“Tourism is an integral and driving component of the Athens County economy, sustaining 10 percent of salaried employment … and visitors to Athens County generated business sales of $131 million, directly and indirectly, in 2011,” the study states.
That percentage is slightly lower than the state average of less than 9 percent of total employment in the state, according to the study.
Southeast Ohio contributes only about 4 percent of the state’s total sales in tourism, but the study states that relative to its size, tourism is still significant to the region’s economy.
In Southeast Ohio, Athens County’s $131 million in sales tied to tourism is the region’s fifth-highest county.
“We are thrilled with these results because it shows us climbing in a time of recession,” said Paige Alost, executive director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The success inspires us.”
The study included effects from tourism on transportation, recreation, retail, lodging, and food and beverage sectors.
“We’re happy to own a venue that economically boosts our area,” said Jane Forrest Redfern, executive director of the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane. “The arts and culture are the fifth-highest income generators to our economy in the region, so when people come to the Dairy Barn, they are spending dollars that support economic growth, and tourism only adds to that.”
The study found that about $5.7 million of lodging profits came from the tourism industry and a majority of visitors are friends or family of Ohio University students, Alost said.
“The best way students can help is to put out a fantastic view of Athens,” Alost said. “Engage with local businesses and make an effort to spend your money at local businesses, because those (owners) love OU and the students very much.”
Many local business owners recognize the economic impact the students and their parents, friends and visitors have on their own economic success and the economic success of Athens, Alost said.
“It is our job and our mission to market Athens to people outside of the Athens community and we’ve been working really hard,” said Alost. “For the past four or five years, we’ve been enjoying success, utilizing our award-winning website and encouraging local businesses to utilize tourism because we must rely on income tourism in Athens.”
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