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CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -A new study shows tourism in Cleveland has increase 12 percent since 2009.

Positively Cleveland, the region’s convention and visitors bureau, released new data detailing the economic impact of the growing tourism industry in Cuyahoga County. According to The Economic Impact of Tourism Study, organized by the research firm Tourism Economics and coordinated by the Ohio Tourism Division, tourism is increasing across Northeast Ohio and impacting Greater Cleveland in four economic areas:

• Visitor volume – 14.9 million visitors came to Cuyahoga County in 2012, up from 13 million in 2009, and generated $6.7 billion in related business activity. These sales figures are up 12 percent from 2009.

• Job growth – Tourism supports 1 in every 11 salaried jobs in Cuyahoga County, sustaining nearly 9 percent of salaried employment. The county’s tourism industry employed 60.946 people in 2011.

• Wages – Tourism employment generated $1.8 billion dollars in wages in 2011.

• Tax revenues – Tourism contributed more than $886 million in taxes, with $265 million for state taxes and $194 million in local taxes in 2011.

“The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic vitality of our region,” Positively Cleveland’s President/CEO David Gilbert said. “Visitors to our region buy local products and services, support area amenities, generate tax revenues and sustain jobs.”

Visitors to downtown Cleveland are expected to double in 2013. That equates to a projected 6 million visitors.

“Based on these projections, Cleveland will welcome the number of visitors equivalent to the entire population of Scotland in just 2013 alone.” Gilbert said.

Much of the increase will come as a result of the newly opened Horseshoe Casino Cleveland. Since its opening in May 2012, the casino has welcomed more than 1.8 million visitors.

“We are thrilled to be part of the growth in Cuyahoga County and, in particular, the vibrancy in downtown Cleveland,” Marcus Glover, senior vice president and general manager of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, said. “Our unique location offers guests an opportunity to partake in casino entertainment and experience Downtown Cleveland’s restaurants, hotels, arts and cultural offerings, and professional sporting events.”

http://www.19actionnews.com/story/19535527/cleveland-tourism-is-on-the-rise

Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News