In 2017, tourism brought $2.1B into region

SANDUSKY — The region's tourism economy once again hit a home run of epic proportions.How so?The amount generated by 11 million visitors in 2017 could buy the Cleveland Indians, valued at about $1 billion, two times over with some change left over.In 2017, visitors generated a record $2.1 billion in tourism-related sales across Erie and Ottawa counties, according to a recent economic impact study released by Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the area's tourism bureau.The $2.1 billion represents an 8 percent increase from 2015, when bureau workers last conducted a study. Three years ago, about 10 million tourists contributed $2 billion within a 12-month period.Officials accounted for people who spent money in several different categories, such as transportation, dining, recreation, retail and lodging.Here's a rundown of some statistics to consider:• About one-third of the total tourism sales in northwest Ohio, $6.5 billion, comes from Erie and Ottawa counties.• More than 14,000 people worked in a tourism-related job — one in four in Erie County, and one in six in Ottawa County — producing wages totaling more than $357 million.• The tourism industry directly generated $255 million in taxes benefiting local communities.But tourism staffers aren't satisfied with the recent figures: They want even more people to visit Erie and Ottawa counties in the coming years."Our mission here is to grow the region's tourism economy through collaborative promotion that increases visitation and makes Lake Erie Shores & Islands the ideal place to play, live, and work," bureau president Larry Fletcher said. "These numbers help reinforce the fact that tourism is a major economic driver for our region."In this May 2018 photo, people descend upon downtown Sandusky for Ohio Bike Week. The annual event is popular among tourists. In 2017, tourists arriving into the area for this attraction helped contribute a record $2.1 billion in tourism-related dollars.Making sense of the dollars and centsEvery two years, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the tourism bureau for Erie and Ottawa counties, releases an economic impact study for how much money tourists generate in the area.Among what they produced in recent times:• 2017: $2.1 billion• 2015: $2 billion• 2013: $1.83 billion• 2011: $1.5 billionSource: Lake Erie Shores & IslandsIn this May 2018 photo, a large group gathers to spot a rare bird at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Oak Harbor. The annual event, known as The Biggest Week in American Birding, which spans across Erie and Ottawa counties, is popular among tourists. In 2017, tourists arriving into the area for this attraction helped contribute a record $2.1 billion in tourism-related dollars.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.