Tourism officials optimistic about summer season

Local tourism officials said they believe people have been in ?bunker mode? when it comes to making vacation plans. The economy and job losses throughout the country have not only kept residents from making plans for extended-trip vacations, but ?staycations? at nearby locations were limited in 2009.

Surveys by the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau show people are planning more three- and four-day vacations this year, said Phil Smith, who recently became the new organization?s president and CEO.

?The indication that people are willing to take more time to plan a vacation ? about nine weeks this year which is up from six weeks a year before ? speaks to confidence in the economy,? Smith said. While people have a pent-up desire to have some family fun, Smith said they?re also looking for value and an experience.

?I think Warren County fits into that because we?re well-positioned with our product mix,? he said. ?I think people are going to be seeing the insides of their wallets because they?ve been cautious for so long.?

Included in that product mix, which 60 percent of the U.S. population can reach in a day?s drive, are Kings Island, The Beach Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, The Ozone Zip Line and the Cincinnati Premium Outlet mall.

The county also touts various professional golf tournaments, as well as the ATP tennis events and a sand volleyball tournament. At the Tennis Center, the center court area is in the midst of a $10 million renovation of its media and player facilities that also includes new VIP seats as well as additional seating for fans.

In 2009, 6.6 million visitors came to Warren County that resulted in an economic impact of more than $916 million, according to the CVB.

Tourism is critical because it supports one of every eight private sector jobs in Warren County as well as employing 11,027 people in 2007, according to the bureau?s statistics. The industry also is key to the county?s 3 percent bed tax that was established by the Warren County Commission in the 1980s and is used to fund the CVB?s operations.

According to Tiffany Zindel, director of the county?s office of management and budget, the bed tax generated $1.78 million in 2009 and is projected to stay about the same in 2010. The bed tax, a portion of motel receipts charged to visitors, was down from the $1.9 million that it generated in 2008. In 2007, the bed tax generated $1.78 million and in 2006, $1.29 million, Zindel said.