TROY — Travel and tourism has a definitive impact on Miami County. According to a report commissioned by the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau (MCVCB), visitors to Miami County generated $194.7 million in direct spending in 2021. The benefits of tourism span various industries, including transportation, recreation, retail, lodging and food and beverage, according to the report.

The Tourism Economics report also shows county tourism generated state and local tax dollars of $22.4 million in 2021. Tourism-related jobs in the county were estimated at 3,478. “The numbers show that tourism is an integral and driving component of the Miami County economy,” said MCVCB Executive Director Leiann Stewart. The Tourism Economics research is completed every other year.

Stewart report continues:

Miami County’s 2022 lodging tax revenue was $532,000, which is money that funds the visitors bureau and is funneled back into marketing tourism in the county. This year’s revenue was a 14.8% increase over 2021 and puts the MCVCB back up to pre-pandemic levels.

Much of the visitors bureau’s marketing highlights local businesses and attractions, events and Miami County’s outdoor recreation. It reaches leisure travelers, the group and sports tourism markets, business travelers and residents from Ohio and surrounding states, and at times, nationally. In 2022, there were over 93,000 visitors to www.homegrowngreat.com, the MCVCB published 46 blogs and sent email marketing to over 1 million people, the bureau created a new video promoting fall in Miami County and distributed 50,000 visitor guides throughout the region, state and surrounding states. A new visitor guide will publish July 1, 2023. In addition, the MCVCB reached over 1 million people through social media, over 84,000 people through paid search campaigns, over 375,000 people via digital display marketing and over 1.2 million people via print marketing.

In July of 2022, the MCVCB launched a Tourism Grant Program. The purpose of this program was to help develop or bolster destination assets and the visitor experience driving visitation, overnight stays, and increased visitor spending to area communities, to enhance the liveability of the area, to support and encourage collaboration within Miami County and the region, and to assist local and regional organizations in need of financial assistance for new or improved projects that are in line with the MCVCB mission. The MCVCB awarded $30,176.75 in grant funds to eight recipients this past December.

In October 2022, the MCVCB received two RUBY (Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance Yearly) Awards during the Ohio Conference on Travel, one for their Float Troy Digital Campaign and one for their Soar Into Miami County Print Ad Campaign. In addition, the organization received two Citation of Excellence Awards, one for their 2021 Summer Promotional Video and one for their Blog. “It is a privilege to bring Miami County’s story to life through our marketing and promotion of the area,” said Stewart. “We know the competition is fierce and judging the entries is no easy task, so it is an honor to be recognized for our efforts through these awards at the state level.”

One ongoing initiative of the bureau is to attend different meetings and tradeshows to meet with tour operators and event owners who could bring travel groups and sporting events to the region. “We want to keep Miami County top of mind and always share the exciting opportunities our area can offer their group or team,” Stewart said. “This isn’t always an easy task and can take years of relationship-building.”

In 2023, the MCVCB will be launching two countywide trails, the Miami County Boutique Trail, and the Miami County Sweets & Spirits Trail, which will include discounts and prizes to those participating. Follow our social media for more information.

Finally, the organization looks forward to continuing our partnerships with local and regional organizations as well as supporting those events that engage with residents and visitors and enhance their experience throughout the county.