COLUMBUS – For the first time in 14 months, Ohio is open for tourism and wants everyone to know.
This week is National Travel and Tourism Week and Wed., May 5th is Ohio Tourism Day.
Ohio. Find It Here., the tourism wing of the state’s Development Services Agency, is launching a $4 million summer campaign encouraging people to visit and explore Ohio.
The “Reach for the Top” TV commercial that begins airing on May 10 in Ohio and surrounding states follows a grandfather as he encourages his granddaughter to “reach for the top,” accompanied by scenes of Ohio attractions, like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“This campaign showcases many of the opportunities and adventures that can be discovered in Ohio. As we emerge from the pandemic, I’d encourage Ohioans and visitors to safely explore all that Ohio has to offer,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, who toured destinations in Cleveland, Toledo and Findlay with First Lady Fran DeWine and Development Services Agency Director Lydia Mihalik Wednesday.
This will be the first time since the pandemic that Ohio’s tourism agency is marketing outside of the state.
According to a survey from the travel and tourism consultant Longwoods International Travel, 88% of American travelers now have travel plans in the next six months.
The toll the pandemic shutdown took on the $7.6 billion central Ohio tourism and convention industry was illustrated by the quarterly State of the Travel Industry report released by Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission Tuesday.