Washington County tourists spent $118M in ’07
Article Photos
By Kate York
The Marietta Times
Tourists spent $118 million in Washington County in 2007, according to a newly released statewide study, and boosted the county to the No. 1 spot in tourism impact among 18 counties in southeast Ohio.
"That was a very nice surprise that we were in the No. 1 position," said Kelly Blazosky, director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "When you think of tourism in southeast Ohio, Hocking Hills comes to mind as the mecca, so it's nice to see us move up there."
The news comes as Marietta holds its largest annual event, the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, which brings in tens of thousands of tourists each year.
The festival is also attracting extra publicity for the Mid-Ohio Valley, with camera crews in Marietta Friday to film new state tourism commercials.
"They're filming the festival and the Valley Gem will be in a shot to show the family-friendly message for travel," Blazosky said. "We're going to be in the next round of commercials, out in the spring."
And though the Sternwheel Festival is a big draw, it's shopping that generates the most tourism dollars, according to the 2007 numbers. The study, done every other year, is conducted by the Ohio Department of Development's Tourism Division.
It shows that in 2007 in Washington County, visitors spent $42.7 million on shopping, 36 percent of their total dollars spent. Food and lodging was second, at $31.1 million (26 percent), and lodging was third, at $20.7 million (18 percent).
The total $118 million in direct spending means an overall $181 million in tourism economic impact in the county, up from $170 million in 2006 and $173 million in 2005.
"Visitors spent $118 million on direct things, like hotels," said Blazosky. "And then there are the indirect things, like the fact that the hotel has buying power after that."
Shirley Patterson, 61, of Charleston, W.Va., in town Friday for the festival, said she makes a trip to Marietta at least twice a year.
"I do shop," she said. "I like the stores downtown. I just think it's a really nice downtown, right on the river, and it's not a very far trip for us."
Businesses were also boosted by the 1.1 million visitors to Washington County last year, according to the study.
Tourism generated personal income of $50 million in 2007 for people working in the county and 1,722 jobs were sustained by visitor spending. That's one of every 17 private sectors jobs in the county.
The tourism numbers are a very valuable tool, Blazosky said.
"It's showed us some healthy trending and how much tourism supports the economy," she said. "And this is a study on a level that we could never have afforded ourselves."
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LineJudge
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09-08-08 8:53 AM
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I don't understand... How can lodging be $20.7 million and the bed tax for the same period was aprox. $.5 milloin? I'd say it is resonable to expect that 80% of the hotels are in Marietta so thet would be $16.5 million in Marietta. 6% of $16.5 million is about $1 million. Something stinks here. Either those are inflated numbers, or the hotels ripping the city off.
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bulldog58
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09-07-08 10:56 AM
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I wish the city would take 250.00 dollars of that 118 millon and fix the lights at the boat ramp maybe we could get a few more tourist. go to williamstown and take some lessons on extior lighting
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mariettasunshine
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09-07-08 9:58 AM
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Washington County is juggling with the budget due to a 5% deficit from the sales tax, it is behind where it was in 2007. Maybe the tourists are spending their money here and the residents are going to WV and spending their money there?
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beddyrn
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09-07-08 9:45 AM
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Tea: You are truley an unhappy person, aren't you? You know, there are herbs to help you with that! They can be found in some stores in downtown Marietta. If you don't want to go the herbal route, I'm sure you could find a physician in Marietta as well. Either way, it would help the economy of Washington County and maybe relieve us (the happy people) of your anger. FYI: I have never lived within the city limits of Marietta. I have had a Marietta zip code. Currently I have a Lowell zip code. So, I will say again -- Washington County (my home town -- and proud of it)!
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smokehouse
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09-06-08 8:55 PM
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If $42,000,000 million was spent at retail in Washington Co. that would be $2,940,000 paid in sales tax. Did the state collect that amount?
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ramon05
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09-06-08 8:00 PM
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i've noticed more activity on front street and the attendance was much largest at the county fair. I believe these numbers to be correct.
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mariettasunshine
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09-06-08 7:48 PM
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$118M??? Are you kidding me. Where are those numbers coming from? Ask the merchants on Front Street in Marietta how much of that $42.7M they saw, ask the museums and other attraction if attendance was up or down this year. Something doesn't seem quite right with these numbers.
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teaglass97
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09-06-08 6:29 PM
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Washington County is a "County". Not a town. Perhaps you are from Marietta.
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beddyrn
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09-06-08 11:41 AM
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Go Washington County (my home town -- and proud of it)!
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