Travel and tourism in Ohio and across the country are significant economic development engines, employing hundreds of thousands of people and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
Locally, tourism is a strong part of our economy, and we work to increase its significant impact in Belmont County.
According to Oxford Economics, tourism will generate a total economic impact of $255 million in Belmont County in 2021 – up from $246 million in 2019. Tourism generated $147 million in direct visitor spending, $35 million in total tax revenue and $676 in relief per resident. A family under tax pressure.
Travel forecasts for 2023 are getting stronger, and according to booking.com, 73% of people are more optimistic about travel in 2022 than they were. Many travelers like nostalgic places, community-based trips, vacations, exploring lesser-known cities and discovering hidden gems. Belmont County is well positioned to host that! We are small towns with big communities.
Belmont County is known for its small town hospitality and friendly atmosphere. Over the years, our cities have been able to build with their strong values and historical characteristics. Our history and heritage are celebrated every year with events and festivals. These events connect our residents with visitors, keep old traditions alive and showcase what makes our beautiful communities unique.
The Office of Tourism plays a vital role in marketing our area and showcasing the best of Belmont County. Each year we publish a new visitor’s guide that tells the story of Belmont County. This 50-plus page magazine informs visitors of our local businesses, attractions and events, with 15,000 copies distributed nationally and regionally throughout the year.
In addition to the visitor’s guide, our office sends out a weekly newsletter featuring events and happenings in the county.
Our newsletter has an average open rate nearly double the national average. We have a strong web and social media presence.
If you are planning events in 2023, please share the information with our office, so we can add it to our website events calendar and share it on our social media channels. You can visit the office at the Ohio Valley Mall, call 740-695-4359 or go online to visitbelmontcounty.com/
The Office of Tourism is proud to be a community partner, promoting resources and events right here in friendly, beautiful, Belmont County. We are optimistic about the future of Belmont County and look forward to an exciting and impactful 2023!
Each month, this space is devoted to a column written by Jackie Pugh, executive director of the Belmont County Tourism Council. She provides information about the tourism office in Belmont County, local attractions, upcoming events and other local finds. She shares information about the travel and tourism industry and how it affects our local economy.
