Ohio tourism officials keep fingers crossed for a robust summer travel season

By Karl Henkel

khenkel@vindy.com

Though Ohio’s tourism economy grew by 7 percent last year, Amir Eylon, state tourism director, treads lightly when asked his prediction for 2011.

“In 2010 we were seeing a rebound from the recession,” Eylon said. “We’re cautiously optimistic for 2011.”

Tourism generated $38 billion in total sales in 2010 and added 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs, according to a report released last week by The Ohio Department of Development’s Tourism Division.

But with gas prices at highs not seen since 2008, will that dig a chunk out of Ohio’s tourism revenue?

Eylon thinks it may not have the impact many expect.

He said Ohio’s central location relative to the rest of the country keeps Ohio’s tourism numbers relatively consistent. He said Ohio is about a one-day drive for 60 percent of the nation’s population.

“It’s a one-tank trip destination,” he said.

AAA projects that 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from their home from May 26 to May 30 — its defined Memorial Day weekend — an increase of about 100,000 travelers compared to last year.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.