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Officials Release Local Tourism Figures For First Half Of 2017

Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission have released their mid-year report showing travel and tourism continued to grow during the first half of 2017. Mike Foley has more.

All three of the industry’s key performance indicators increased this year compared to the first half of 2016. Occupancy is up 1.1%, average daily rate 2.6%, and revenue per available room rose 3.7%. During the second quarter of 2017, Columbus hosted a total of 195 conventions, sporting events and groups. Hotel/motel bed tax collections increased nearly 5.5 percent or $1.1 million as of June 30, with collections totaling nearly $21 million, according to the city auditor. Officials say those funds support Experience Columbus, but also the city’s arts programs, social services, affordable housing and the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. The research firm Longwoods International also found that Columbus’ visitor volume grew from 39.3 million visitors in 2015 to 39.9 million in 2016. Earlier this year, Columbus landed a dozen NCAA championships for 2019-2022.  

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.
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