RESEARCH

A wide variety of world-class activities, attractions, restaurants, overnight accommodations and more, combined with the marketing power of those businesses and Lake Erie Shores & Islands, helped drive the tourism industry to new economic heights last year. The Lake Erie Shores & Islands region attracts an estimated 11 million visitors each year to the region. Download.

An overview of activities and stats for Ohio's Lake Erie Shores & Islands for the 2019 travel year. Download.

Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the destination marketing organization for Erie and Ottawa counties, held its 2018 State of Tourism Address April 4, 2019 at the Catawba Island Club. During the event, 2018 promotional and advertising campaign highlights as well as travel and tourism statistics were shared by Lake Erie Shores & Islands President, Larry Fletcher. Download.

Details regarding 2017 Economic Impact of Tourism research for the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region of Ohio, conducted by Tourism Economics. Download.

Lake Erie Shores & Islands, the destination marketing organization for Erie and Ottawa counties, held its 2017 Annual Meeting and State of Tourism Address April 5, 2018 at Sandusky’s Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. During the event 2017 travel and tourism statistics and marketing highlights were shared by Lake Erie Shores & Islands President, Larry Fletcher. Download.

A review of 2016 Lake Erie Shores & Islands business activity and accomplishments. This document was shared at the annual State of Tourism address in May 2017. Download.

This quick-reference sheet includes 2016 Lake Erie Shores & Islands facts and figures, general overview, economic impact, frequently asked questions, and more. Download.

According to a recent study conducted by Tourism Economics, one of the world’s leading providers of economic analysis, visitors helped generate nearly $2 billion in tourism sales in 2015, an increase of 7% from the 2013 study. In addition, nearly one-third of the total tourism sales in Northwest Ohio ($6 billion in 22 counties) are generated in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region’s two counties, Erie and Ottawa. These numbers help estimate that more than 10 million visitors traveled to the Shores & Islands region in 2015. Download.

A review of 2015 Lake Erie Shores & Islands business activity and 10 years of Lake Erie Shores & Islands accomplishments. Download.

The Lake Erie Shores & Islands 2014 advertising campaign, that promoted visitation to Erie and Ottawa counties, has been proven to be highly effective at generating economic impact for the region. Recently released research concluded that the 2014 campaign generated 1.8 million trips that would otherwise not have taken place... Download.

Survey of Lake Erie Shores & Islands customers who requested a travel planner, either online or via post card, in 2014. Download.

Visitors generated nearly $1.8 billion in business activity, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts, in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region in 2013. This valuable information was presented to the Erie and Ottawa County Visitors Bureaus recently in a report on the 2013 travel year. The biennial report was coordinated by the Ohio Tourism Division and executed by Tourism Economics. All 88 Ohio counties have the opportunity to participate in this study. The $1.8 billion in economic impact reported is up more than 18% from the last economic impact study, done for the 2011 travel year. Download.

The Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial event was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, celebrated by the communities of Ohio's Lake Erie Shores & Islands region from August 29-September 10, 2013. The highlight of the event was Labor Day weekend and the Labor Day reenactment of the battle itself. Information presented in this report includes visitor attendance and spending data and the results of a survey of area businesses on the impact the event had for their operations. Download.

Visitors generated nearly $1.6 billion in business activity, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts, in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region in 2011. This valuable information was presented to the Erie and Ottawa County Visitors Bureaus recently in a report on the 2011 travel year. The biennial report was coordinated by the Ohio Tourism Division and executed by Tourism Economics. All 88 Ohio counties have the opportunity to participate in this study. Download.

In 2011, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Visitors Bureau partnered with North Star’s Research Division to quantify visitation patterns and measure the return on marketing and advertising investment. This Executive Summary represents a snapshot of the critical insights from the research. Download.

Facts and figures regarding recreational boating in Ohio. Information for this booklet was gathered from: Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft, Ohio State University, the Great Lakes Commission, Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism, U.S. Coast Guard, ODNR Division of Coastal Management, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Download.

In order to study traffic and tourism patterns in Erie County, a study was designed to understand the makeup of summer guests and how far they travel. This study took place at Erie County's two premier vacation destinations, Cedar Point Amusement Park, located in Sandusky, and the Kalahari Resort, located in Huron & Perkins Townships. Download.

General demographic information about Erie County, Ohio from the Ohio Department of Development, prepared by the Office of Policy, Research and Strategic Planning. Download.

Ohio Department of Transportation data on traffic flow at major Erie County, Ohio intersections. Download.