Ohio welcomed 238 million visitors in 2023, a new record- Cleveland.com
Published by: Cleveland.com
Written by: Susan Glaser, cleveland.com
Original Article can be found here.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio welcomed 238 million visitors in 2023, a 2% increase over the year before and a new record.
Those visitors spent a record $56 billion while exploring the state, according to the Ohio Department of Development. Of those 238 million visitors, 48 million stayed overnight -- and 84% of them said they are likely to visit Ohio again in the next 12 months, the agency said.
Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, said the tourism industry is more than the state’s natural beauty and top attractions. “It’s about Ohioans fulfilling their dreams, growing businesses, and crafting unforgettable experiences for visitors,” she said. “Tourism highlights the heart and soul of our communities.”
The state celebrated Ohio Tourism Day on Tuesday, with nearly 120 travel and tourism industry partners on the Ohio Statehouse lawn promoting the upcoming summer travel season.
TourismOhio released its 2024 Summer Events guide at the event, which highlights five events in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. The tourism agency also released its 100 Things to Do in Ohio this Summer list.
According to the state, the tourism industry supports more than 436,000 jobs in Ohio, including those in the food and beverage, recreation, entertainment, retail and lodging industries.
Note: Destination Cleveland won’t release its 2023 visitor numbers until this fall, according to a spokesperson.
Ohio tourism: By the numbers
Total visits
2023: 238 million
2022: 233 million
2021: 219 million
2020: 201 million
2019: 226 million
Source: TourismOhio; Note: A visitor is generally defined as someone who travels at least 50 miles from home, and not as part of a normal routine.