Cleveland tourism smashes spending record

By the numbers: Cuyahoga County recorded $6.9 billion in direct spending, a 4% jump from 2023.

• The county saw 18.6 million leisure and business visits last year, a 1.5% increase from 2023, in line with Ohio's statewide visitor growth.
• Business travel surged 7%, fueled by more than 300 meetings and conventions that drew 208,000 people and nearly $200 million in spending.
• Those dollars supported more than 70,000 local jobs, including 20,000 in the food and beverage industries.

What they're saying: "Travel and tourism is a powerful growth engine for Cleveland," said David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, in a statement accompanying the report.

• "And given the halo effect of positive travel experiences on consideration of a city as a place to live and work, we must evolve to give travelers a reason to return."

What's next: Gilbert said the nearly $5 billion of investments planned or underway along the city's waterfronts is "essential" to Cleveland's future.