MEDIA ALERT

Distributed 9/04 Media Contact:

For Immediate Release Jennifer Poleon,

614-572-1931, ext. 2

Ohio would benefit from a longer Labor Day weekend

Columbus–Wondering where the summer went? So are many families, now that school is back in session for most Ohio districts. Nowadays with summer baseball schedules and camps it seems as if Ohio’s peak travel season is over before it has even begun.

With more and more Ohio school districts setting earlier start dates, the upcoming Labor Day holiday has become even more important for families looking to getaway and experience one last taste of summer.

The Ohio Travel Association would like to see Ohio families reclaim more of their summer and experience all the great historical sites, award-winning amusement parks and so many of the great treasures this state has to offer.

“We think it’s a good time to look at lengthening the Labor Day weekend,” said Marc McQuaid, Ohio Travel Association Executive Director. “There are many ways to do that, but simply closing schools on the Friday before Labor Day could have several positive benefits. It would help families get in a last-minute vacation without missing school. It would assist tourism-related businesses. It would provide much needed revenue to cash-strapped state coffers. It’s good for families. It’s good for the economy.”

Recently Michigan passed a law making the Friday before Labor Day a mandatory school holiday. Since then, Michigan families have ended their summers with a four-day holiday weekend and Michigan has gotten a needed boost to their economy.

Founded in 1976, the Ohio Travel Association is the largest travel and tourism trade association in Ohio. It leads the industry with legislative representation and networking opportunities. OTA’s membership includes hotels, restaurants, attractions, destination marketing organizations and tour companies. For more information go to www.ohiotravel.org.

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