Ohio theme park CEO: 'Staycations' are here to stay

BATAVIA, Ohio (AP) — The chief executive of one of the country’s largest amusement park companies said today that with Americans staying closer to home since the economic downturn, “staycations” have boosted business at the parks, and he predicted the trend would continue even with the economy improving.

CEO Matt Ouimet spoke about the future of Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. and the industry after touring the southwest Ohio plant where the newest roller coaster for the company’s northwest Ohio park, Cedar Point in Sandusky, is under construction.

Ouimet said Cedar Fair’s parks generally draw most of their visitors from within a couple of hundred miles.

“I think staycations are here to stay because people have rediscovered that it’s more fun, less complicated and less expensive to get in your car and drive to Cedar Point or other parks,” Ouimet said.