Economic Impact

GOVERNOR DEWINE ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL EVENTS INCLUDING FULL COUNTY FAIRS AND FESTIVALS CAN HAPPEN IN 2021

Governor Mike DeWine announced during his press conference on Thursday, 3/11 that he anticipates full county fairs can happen this summer across the state. DeWine provided a quick summary of the guidance including but not limited to rules for grand stands, social distancing requirements, signage promoting mask wearing posted at the fair, and required mask-wearing. He also noted it’s possible we may no longer have health orders by the time fairs begin, but guidelines could always change depending on the state of the virus. 

Guidelines on fairs has been released and can be found here.

Festivals, parades, graduations and proms will have guidelines issued within the next few weeks.

Travel Research Round-Up for this Week

What travelers are thinking, doing and needing changes constantly. To help you make sense of the research findings each week, the Ohio Travel Associations provides this one-page summary.

View Research Round-Up Here

Travel Sentiment 

A REPORT ON GROUP TRAVEL AND WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE IN 2021

Key findings from Group Tour Magazine fielded Jan. 2021: 

• When asked when the earliest travel planners are running tours:
  • 9% reported January – March.
  • 32% reported April – June.
  • 28% said July – September.
  • 14% said October – December.
  • 17% said January of 2022 and beyond.
• When asked how tour planners are evolving their businesses to accommodate new protocols, 68% reported they will be limiting the number of participates.
• In what ways can tour suppliers help group leaders during this time?
  • Keep operators informed of safety protocols of all stops.
  • Create clear guidelines about the safeguards that will be implemented for the comfort and protection of the clients.
  • Continue to communicate about schedules for smaller groups.
  • Ease restrictions for cancellations and offer refunds as an option instead of credits.
  • Reduce price to reflect less people on trips.
  • Recognize that groups may be smaller at this time, so reduce participant minimums.
  • Have operators continue to inform suppliers on capacity limits, closures and itinerary suggestions appropriate for social distancing.
  • Offer outdoor activities and plenty of room during meals and activities.

TRAVELER OPTIMISM POINTS TO FUTURE INDUSTRY RECOVERY; PEOPLE ARE BECOMING MORE COMFORTABLE OPENING THEIR COMMUNITIES

Key findings from Longwoods International fielded Mar. 3:

• 84% of travelers reported they have travel plans in the next six months. This is up 3% from Feb. 17.
• As for when travelers next trip might be:
  • 17% said they currently do not have any trips planned.
  • 16% said within the next month.
  • 20% said the next 1-2 months.
  • 26% said in the next 3-5 months.
  • 21% said their next trip will be in the next 6 or more months.
• COVID-19 still impacts decisions of when travelers might travel in the next six months. 35% of people said COVID-19 greatly impacts their decision, while only 11% said it has no impact at all.
• Though COVID-19 does have an impact on travelers next trip, on Feb. 17, 41% of travelers said COVID-19 greatly impacted when their next trip would be. Now, this percentage is only 35%.
• 61% said they would change their travel plans due to COVID-19, whereas 66% said they would on Feb. 17.
• COVID-19 continues to influence peoples travel plans in the next six months.
  • 32% said they are reducing the number of trips they are taking.
  • 32% said they are choosing destinations they can drive to as opposed to flying.
  • 26% said they are only traveling within the U.S. instead of internationally.
  • 15% are choosing not to travel at all.
  • 15% said they are choosing rural destinations over city destinations.
  • 11% said they are canceling all trips.
  • 20% of travelers said COVID-19 is not influencing their travel plans.
• 44% of people agree or strongly agree to support opening their communities to visitors.
• 50% said they feel safe traveling outside their communities.
• 49% feel said dining in local restaurant and, shopping in retail stores in their communities.
• The vaccine continues to greatly impact travel plans.
  • 36% still plan to wait to travel until they received the vaccine. This is down 2% from last month.
  • 32% said the COVID-19 vaccine has no impact on their travel plans. This is down 1% from Feb. 17.
• When asked if travelers have worked remotely since March of 2020, 33% said they have worked remotely and spent time on vacation. Whereas only 12% have worked remotely but did not spend any time on vacation.