The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings. Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Tourism dollars turf war brewing?

Is a 2007 version of the Hatfield’s & McCoy feud (hotel tax dollars) brewing in the Huntington versus Cabell County tourist office debate?

Here is some tourism data provided by the Ohio Travel Association (http://ohiotravel.org/pages/Heartland_Travel%20Showcase_press_release.html).

According to a recent study by researchers at George Washington University, one overnight visit by a motor coach group can generate more than $11,000 for a destination’s local economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

In my humble opinion we should work together as a region-Ohio, Kentucky & West Virginia and develop/present (market) a unified travel product. Acting in unison should allow us to better market our region and attempt to attract & capture the revenue from business & leisure travelers, bus groups, meeting & convention attendees and so forth.