The tourism industry is booming in Summit County.
A new economic impact survey shows direct spending rose from $1.37 billion in 2013 to $1.54 billion last year, an increase of 12.4 percent.
The results were released Thursday.
Gregg Mervis, president and chief executive officer of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, attributed the growth to new hotels opening and an aggressive marketing campaign.
He also cited many popular and longstanding attractions and events, including Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron Zoo, Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, Akron RubberDucks, Akron Marathon, Soap Box Derby and Bridgestone Invitational.
“You put all these assets together and they showcase a vibrant, contemporary community that is attractive for people to come to and hopefully to return,” Mervis said.
The survey, commissioned every two years by TourismOhio and conducted by Tourism Economics of Warren, Pa., examined spending on everything from food and beverage to entertainment and hotel stays.
Several attractions saw significant growth in 2015.
For example, the Akron RubberDucks drew 340,916 fans that year, a 15.4 percent increase from two years earlier.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park also attracted 2.28 million visitors, up 8.2 percent over the same time period.
Other local survey findings include:
• There were 17,053 people employed in travel and tourism jobs in the county last year, an increase of 4.2 percent.
• Tourism supported 1 in every 14 jobs in the county last year.
• Travel and tourism workers were paid more than $333 million last year, up 12.5 percent from two years earlier.
• Local tax revenue rose 8.2 percent to $53 million.
Mervis said he would expect the numbers to be even better this year thanks in part to the Republican National Convention held in Cleveland. The RubberDucks also hosted the AAA Minor League All-Star Game and won the Eastern League championship.
Statewide last year, direct visitor spending generated $32.8 billion, a 5 percent increase.
Mervis couldn’t say how the Summit numbers compare to other counties in the state.
Stark reported a combined direct and indirect economic impact of $1.7 billion, an increase of 7.6 percent increase.
Cuyahoga County saw the direct and indirect economic impact from tourism rise from $7.4 billion to $8.1 billion, a 9.5 percent increase.
In Summit County, the direct and indirect economic impact of tourism last year totalled $1.85 billion.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.