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Friday, 11 April 2008 |
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Staff photo/Mike Burkholder Ohio Director of Travel and Tourism Amir Eylon addresses the Auglaize and MercerCounties Convention and Visitors Bureau during its annual banquet Thursday. By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
CELINA — Businesses in Auglaize and Mercer counties must focus on what makes them unique in order to attract tourists as soaring gasoline prices loom on the horizon, a state tourism official says.
Ohio Director of Travel and Tourism Amir Eylon spoke to members of the Auglaize and Mercer Counties Convention and Visitors Bureau’s annual banquet Thursday in Celina. Eylon, who has 17 years of experience in the tourism industry, said people look for experiences when they select a destination to visit.
“That’s the driving force behind tourism,” Eylon said. “One of the greatest things this region has is you offer that experience. Water sells and you offer that opportunity to escape. Focus on what makes you unique.”
The tourism industry has seen several trends in the past few years, Eylon said. Eylon encouraged businesses owners and tourism officials to investigate the use of the Internet to spread the word about what they have to offer possible guests and visitors.
“If you have a business, do you have a MySpace page,” Eylon said. “There are places on MySpace where people talk about boating — wouldn’t it make sense if you have a boating business to log on.”
In addition to experiences, Eylon said tourists often seek authenticity out of their vacations. Eylon encouraged CVB members to develop advertising and marketing campaigns geared toward particular segments of the population.
“Look at the different audiences,” Eylon said. “Ten to 15 years ago you never would have heard of girlfriend getaways. Now they have man-cations — you can’t overlook that. We have to make sure we are targeting that.”
Other trends include pet travel and locations that boast “green amenities.” Eylon said businesses with those options should advertise accordingly.
“More travelers are unwilling to leave their pets behind,” Eylon said. “If you are open for it, let the world know you are pet-friendly. The outdoors always sells and you (can’t) get more green than the natural settings.”
In 2007, tourism generated $33 billion for the state of Ohio, including contributing $2 billion in state and local taxes. Despite a sagging national economy, Eylon said Ohio’s tourism industry should remain healthy in 2008.
“I am happy to report the state of the industry is solid,” Eylon said. “We’ve seen a lot of growth and the preliminary indication is that 2007 was a good year and 2008 appears to be shaping up.”
Locally, tourism generated $47.57 million and supported 2,378 jobs in 2007. CVB Executive Director Donna Grube said the numbers were solid despite breaking the streak of record-setting revenue the previous years.
“I do want to stress those figures are conservative,” Grube said. “They don’t include the campers and not to mention the weekenders and the day-trippers. The lodging money is what we can track.”
The CVB also honored several members of the community during the banquet. The Miami and Erie Canal Corridor Association (MECCA) received the Stahr Award. Executive Director Neal Brady thanked the CVB for recognizing the group’s efforts to attract people into the region.
“This is quite a surprise and its something we’ve been working on for a number of years,” Brady said. “We are working on a linear connection so you can ride a bike from Cincinnati to Toledo.”
Brian Miller took home the Ambassador Award for 2007. Miller, an assistant park manager at Grand Lake St. Marys, has a lifelong relationship with the lake.
“I appreciate it,” Miller said. “We are all committed to this area. I love my job and I think it’s unique.”
Josh Hines took home the President’s Award during the banquet. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 April 2008 )
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