Record visitation, Best of Warren County winners announced at annual CVB meeting
04/18/2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Hutchinson, Communications Manager | 513-204-7046 | shutchinson@wccvb.org
Record visitation, Best of Warren County winners announced at annual CVB meeting
WARREN COUNTY, OH (April 15, 2016) – Warren County, Ohio welcomed a record number of tourism-related visitors in 2015, the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) announced at its Annual Partner Meeting today.
According to attendance figures compiled by the WCCVB, the county’s numerous entertainment, shopping and dining attractions accounted for more than 11.8 million visitors in 2015, surpassing a previous record of 11.2 million visitors set in 2014.
Phillip S. Smith, President & CEO of the WCCVB, credits the spike in visitation to the county’s mounting reputation as both an affordable and easily accessible destination.
“In addition to boasting a terrific array of unique and affordable events, attractions, and lodging options, Warren County also is within a day’s drive for more than sixty percent of the U.S. population,” Smith said. “That convenience, coupled with the fact that many of our attractions appeal to travelers of all age groups and interests, has played a huge role in our recent success.”
Among the county’s most visited attractions in 2015 were Kings Island, Caesar Creek State Park, the Western & Southern Open, Miami Valley Gaming, and the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival.
According to the latest economic study conducted by the State of Ohio, tourism is the county’s number one industry, accounting for one in every eight jobs, or 12.7 percent of the workforce. Total tourism spending in the county recently surpassed $1 billion for the first time in history.
Also announced at the WCCVB’s Annual Partner Meeting were the winners of its 2015 Best of Warren County Awards. The awards, which serve to honor local’s favorite Warren County businesses from 2015 across varying categories, collected more than 17,000 votes in all. The winners were as follows:
- Best Antique/Unique Store – Social Graces
- Best Burger – Black Horse Tavern/The Golden Lamb
- Best Coffee – Royce Café & Coffeehouse
- Best Date Night – Valley Vineyards
- Best Dish –Fried Chicken at The Golden Lamb
- Best Place to Explore History – Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve
- Best Place for a Day of Family Fun – Kings Island
- Best Festival/Event – Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade
- Best Fine Dining – The Golden Lamb
- Best Hangout for Teens – Kings Island
- Best Ice Cream – Whit’s Frozen Custard
- Best Locally Owned Restaurant – Cobblestone Café
- Best Lunch Spot – Cobblestone Café
- Best Outdoor Adventure – Caesar Creek State Park
- Best Pizza – Little River Café
- Best Place to Shop - Lebanon
- Best Sweet Treat – Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory
About the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Warren County is Ohio’s Largest Playground! With easy access from Interstates 71 and 75, visitors to Warren County can enjoy more activities within a 30-mile radius than anywhere else in Ohio.
The Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a professional destination marketing organization committed to economic growth by increasing overnight and year-round visitors.
Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. The 11.8 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $1.063 billion and 11,866 tourism-related jobs.
For additional information, visit www.OhiosLargestPlayground.com or call 800-433-1072.