Ohio Unveils New Bleisure Travel Initiative

Ohio welcomed nearly 245 million visits in 2025, generating nearly $58 billion in economic impact. It has no plans on settling for such success.

Amid the positive tourism news, state officials including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and State Tourism Director Sarah Wickham, announced a new partnership between TourismOhio and the Greater Columbus Convention Center encouraging business travelers to extend their stay once their meetings are over.

Attendees will be welcomed with immersive wallscapes, digital displays, and the renamed Heart of it All Ballroom. The state’s DMO employs the tagline, “Ohio, The Heart of it All,” to reinforce its proximity to U.S. destinations.

Columbus is the jumping off point for a new Ohio tourism initiative. Photo Credit: TourismOhio

The goal of the activations is to encourage convention-goers in Columbus to take road trips to other parts of the state, too. The capital city is only 2.5 hours from Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other attractions, and under two hours from Cincinnati, which is experiencing a renaissance due in large part to its Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and newly renovated convention center. Columbus is also 2.5 hours away from Cedar Point, an amusement park known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”

“People often think of tourism as vacations and weekend getaways—and it absolutely is,” said Wickham. “It's about making memories and discovering new places with the people who matter most. But behind every great trip is real economic impact. When visitors fall in love with an Ohio downtown, state park, restaurant, or attraction, they're more likely to return and encourage others to visit.”

Since 2021, Ohio has seen continued growth in visitor volume, overnight travel, visitor spending, and tourism-supported employment. The industry supports 447,000 jobs, according to a press release issued this week. Survey results show 93% of overnight visitors are likely to visit Ohio again in the next 12 months.

DeWine attributes the success to the variety of experiences available statewide.

“Ohio's greatest strength has always been its people and its communities,” said DeWine. “Every Ohio community has something unique to offer, and tourism gives us the opportunity to showcase those experiences to visitors from across the country and around the world. Whether someone comes for business or recreation, every trip is a chance to experience what makes Ohio different from other states.”

Photo Credit: TourismOhio