CENTRAL OHIO -- Ohio is more than a state; it’s a business.
The Ohio Division of Tourism learned it faces massive proposed cuts.
FAST FACTS
Under the proposed state budget:
- The division would see a reduction from $1.4 million to $400,000.
- A $6.8-million marketing campaign would be eliminated.
- Visitors spend $38 billion a year in Ohio.
- $7.2 billion is spent by Central Ohio tourists and visitors.
The Ohio Tourism Roundtable said the department is crucial to generating revenue and cannot afford such steep cuts.
What will the proposed loss of funding mean for the division and Ohio's bottom line?
Getting the word out about Central Ohio’s best attractions could become harder if proposed budget cuts were to become a reality.
Experience Columbus said it would have to cut its call center; stop fulfilling requests for information via the Web, telephone and reader response cards and would lose co-op advertising campaigns.
The state is considering eliminating the department of tourism's $6.8 million dollar marketing budget.
Experience Columbus said advertising is a revenue generator, not an expense, because every dollar spent on tourism ads turns into $12 feeding the Ohio economy.
“How can you compete? You won't have people from Germany coming here. They'll be going to Michigan. They'll be going to Pennsylvania -- all the other places that are doing the promoting and advertising and sales in those various countries,” Experience Columbus President and CEO Paul Astleford said.
The German Village Guest House, and other tourist destinations, relies on referrals from Experience Columbus and The Ohio Division of Tourism.
Experience Columbus had visitors from Germany Friday.
“The money that people spend with my hotel is just a small part of what they spend while they're here in town. They go to concerts, sporting events, they eat at local restaurants,” John Pribble, with the guest house, said.
Pribble also hires local students and uses local markets for his business.
Experience Columbus said the tourism industry is a proven source of revenue for the state and possibly losing the call center and the ability to respond to public requests could mean the demise of the division itself.
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