Learn more about the SBA Shuttered Venue Grant Program on this archived webinar from last week. This program was designed to help some of those most impacted by extended shutdowns and restricted capacities throughout the pandemic. It will provide non-repayable grants equal to 45% of gross earned revenues. Eligible applicants could include museum operators, theatre operators, live performing arts, live venue operators or promotors, talent representatives and any subsidiary of these organizations that the qualifications. The webinar also talks about EIDL loans, as well as PPP, and gives you information to consider before choosing which route to go. Those receiving PPP are not eligible for the SBA Shuttered Venue Grant program. All details and an application date are not yet available through SBA, but for more information, check Sba.gov/coronavirusrelief frequently.

Economic Impact

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY UNEMPLOYMENT AT 20%; MORE THAN A THIRD OF OHIO JOBS LOST ARE FROM THE INDUSTRY

More than a third of all nonagricultural jobs lost in Ohio are from the Travel and Hospitality industry. November data from Ohio Jobs and Family Services indicates there are 115,200 fewer Ohioans employed by Leisure and Hospitality businesses from a year ago. Overall, the industry is experiencing a 20.27% job loss. Arts, Entertainment and Recreation is down 15,400 jobs from this time last year or 18.99%, while Accommodations and Food Service is down 99,800 jobs or 20.48% of this sector's workforce based on last year.

While Ohio’s overall unemployment rate is 5.7%, those working in leisure and hospitality continue to experience high levels of unemployment and represent two out of every five service-providing jobs lost in November.

Extension of Curfew

In his press conference on Thursday, 1/21, Governor DeWine said the overnight curfew is still needed to control the spread of the coronavirus, while balancing the need to keep businesses open. The curfew will be extended for a second time. He has not yet provided an end date to this curfew extension.

A question asked during this press conference asked if the curfew is working. Gov. DeWine says he knows the curfew is difficult for bars and restaurants, but mentioned that during the winter months, it is difficult to social distance inside and impossible to wear masks while eating/drinking. He reiterated the curfew is a compromise option, rather than closing bars and restaurants. Gov. DeWine said cutting down the contact time cuts down on the potential spread. At this point in time, he does not think it is wise to end the curfew.

Travel Sentiment Updates

ALTHOUGH ANXIETY CAME DOWN A BIT, SO DID THE HIGHS SEEN LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL SENTIMENT

Key findings from Destination Analysts fielded Jan. 18 - 22, 2021:

Americans continue to show that they believe better days are in sight. The percent of Americans who feel the pandemic situation in the U.S will get worse in the next month fell another 6.5% this week to 43.2%, the lowest it has been since Sept. 27.
The modest decline in travel sentiment was seen across generation, although Boomer travelers are generally significantly less ready, excited and open to inspiration than younger travelers, even over the rest of 2021.
One metric that did continue a positive trend is the retreat in perceptions of travel and leisure activities as unsafe - which dropped to 48.9% and is now lower than where is was March 15.
In terms of what Americans are looking for in travel experiences in 2021, right now scenic beauty, outdoor activities in warm weather, beach destinations and resorts, National Parks and road trips are predominant in their minds.
Right now, 36.8% of those Americans who attend live events and festivals say they would be comfortable traveling to attend such an event by June; the rest need more time.
With the COVID-19 vaccine being a major factor for normalcy for many travelers, this week 49.7% say they will avoid travel until vaccines are made widely available.

Travel Research Updates

'RESEARCH ROUND-UP' CHART PROVIDES AT-A-GLANCE INSIGHT INTO IMPORTANT TRAVEL RESEARCH

OTA intern Sarah Herrick shares her recent project called 'Research Round-Up.' Click on the button below to see the most recent travel research at-a-glance from Destination Analyst, Longwoods International, IMPACTS Experience, and Tourism Review.

Research Round-Up Chart

MARKET POTENTIAL BY QUARTER IN 2021: PROJECTED ATTENDANCE TO U.S. CULTURAL ENTITIES

Here is the overall level of attendance that museums and performing arts organizations can reasonably expect this year, findings from Colleen Dilenschneider Jan. 20, 2021:

What attendance can exhibit-based entities expect in 2021? Exhibit-based cultural organizations include entities such as museums, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, botanic gardens, and science centers. The actual attendance to these types of cultural entities in the U.S. average 40.5% of 2019 in 2020.
As of January 2021, the current market potential for exhibit-based organizations for the calendar year is 72.2% of their 2019 attendance.
What is likely driving this change? The rollout of the vaccine. We see that many people planning to defer their visits until after they are vaccinated.
What attendance can performance-based entities expect in 2021? Performance-based cultural organizations include entities such as theaters, symphonies/orchestras, and ballet. The actual attendance to these types of cultural entities in the U.S. average 22.8% of 2019 attendance in 2020.
As of 2021, the current market potential for exhibit-based organization for the calendar year of 2021 is 57.7% of their 2019 attendance.
We knew attendance wouldn’t recover at midnight on Jan. 1, yet there is still a reason to believe that the vaccine may start to bring more stability in the second half of this year.

Complete Story

01/22/2021

Updates 01/22/2021: Ohio's Travel Industry and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Economic Relief Updates

Economic Impact

Extension of Curfew

Travel Sentiment Updates

Travel Research Updates

Research Round-Up Chart