Report: Tourists pumped $751M into Mahoning County econony in 2013

YOUNGSTOWN — A report commissioned by TourismOhio shows that visitors to Mahoning County generated $751 million dollars in business activity, directly and indirectly, in 2013.

The report also shows tourism helped support more than 9,200 jobs locally, provided $178 million in wages, and generated 95.4 million in taxes in 2013. The study, conducted biannually by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company located in Philadelphia, takes into account the lodging, food & beverage, retail, recreation and transportation business sectors.

“The numbers show that tourism is an integral part of the economy here in the Youngstown area,” said Linda Macala, executive director of the Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Conventions, conferences, travel and tourism and sports tournaments all contribute to our overall economic development picture. They bring people and visitor dollars into our community. The numbers from this study provide a snapshot of the state of tourism in Mahoning County.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com