Destination Cleveland has big plans to bolster perceptions of Northeast Ohio and grow tourism.

Why it matters: The organization's strategic plan released this week looks to get tourism back to its pre-pandemic level in 2019, when it generated a local economic impact of $9.7 billion.

By the numbers: Some 16.1 million people visited Cuyahoga County in 2021, a 17% increase from 2020 when the county saw a 30% drop in visitors and an economic impact of just $7.1 billion.

Yes, but: The 2021 figures are still below the record 19.6 million visitors Cuyahoga County saw in 2019.

• Though it has yet to release tourism numbers for 2022, Destination Cleveland says hotel occupancy is up 13% so far in 2023, compared with the first four months of 2021.

State of play: Destination Cleveland's new strategic plan includes a lighting installation that stretches from Public Square through Playhouse Square and a citywide mural program for local artists. Both projects are aimed at generating shareable visuals on social media.

• The organization has also created a Cleveland-centric Legends of the Land podcast, added a "Move to Cleveland" page on its website and will install vending machines with Script Cleveland merchandise at the airport.

Zoom out: Post-pandemic tourism campaigns have varied nationwide. Last month, Minneapolis launched an ad campaign to break the city's crime stigma in the wake of George Floyd's killing.

• The "Boston Never Gets Old" campaign emphasizes the historic city's tech innovation. Philadelphia's tourism strategy focuses on local favorites rather than famous attractions like the Rocky Statue.

The big picture: Cleveland's tourism campaign coincides with other major local developments, including the city's plan to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in private capital and government grants to connect downtown to North Coast Harbor.

What they're saying: “After three years, travel is back," David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, said Wednesday.

• "We are focused on working with residents and industry businesses to attract visitors and help them discover authentic Cleveland experiences that take them even deeper into our neighborhoods."

David Merriman, who heads Cuyahoga County's Department of Health and Human Services, says he's confident plans for a homeless youth drop-in center in Ohio City will succeed.

• That's despite opposition from a group of neighbors on Franklin Boulevard led by former housing court judge Ron O'Leary.

Catch up quick: O'Leary is suing Cleveland's Board of Zoning Appeals, attempting to reverse a variance allowing the building at 4100 Franklin to change its approved use to a daytime shelter.

What they're saying: During a panel discussion Wednesday evening, Merriman affirmed support for the drop-in center at the highest levels of county government.

• "On the day this project came before the Board of Control, [county executive] Chris Ronayne was on the phone jockeying for votes," Merriman said, "making sure there were enough people to support it and keep it moving forward."

State of play: The Board of Control agreed to contribute $250,000 in federal pandemic funding toward the $1.5 million project, but the county council has delayed that contribution until the legal battle is resolved.

What's next: Per the court docket, a phone conference with all parties is scheduled for Monday.

Cuyahoga County youth homelessness by the numbers

🎙️ Rap artist and mogul 50 Cent will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" with a tour stop at Blossom Music Center on Aug. 6. (Variety)

🎓 Here's what's included in Cleveland State University's $1.4 million rebrand. (Signal Cleveland)

🤑 Sen. Sherrod Brown has for years claimed a 2.5% owner-occupancy tax credit on two properties — his Cleveland home and his Columbus condo — though Ohio law is clear that the credit is intended for only one. (NBC News)

🍔 Three Cincinnati McDonald's locations are among those identified as having committed child labor violations, a Department of Labor investigation found. (Axios)

• The findings come as Ohio lawmakers have proposed loosening Ohio child labor regulations.

🍹 Te Amo Tequila

Details: There are plenty of fun events for Cinco de Mayo weekend. For tequila connoisseurs, there's "Te Amo Tequila" at Red Space.

• The event starts at 7pm and features more than 30 premium tequilas with tacos from Barrio. Tickets start at $65.

💭 Our thought bubble: See it, if you like tequila, live music and good vibes.

🎬 "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"

Details: The third and (probably) final installment of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise kick-starts summer movie season.

💭 Our thought bubble: Skip it. The characters are still lovable, but the plot is a bit of a mess with jokes that often fall flat.

🛍️ Cleveland Bazaar

Details: Cleveland's longest-running indie craft show kicks off its twice-monthly summer appearances 10am-4pm Saturday at Market Square.

💭 Our thought bubble: See it. Supporting local artists and crafters on what looks like a beautiful spring day? Sign us up.

Two more things to do

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Country Marketing Manager at G2A.com.
2. Global Internal Communications Manager at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
3. Vice President of Operations at Executives Unlimited.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

Visitors to Cedar Point will have a new area to explore this year.

Driving the news: The amusement park, which draws more than 3.5 million people to its Sandusky location each year, opens for the season tomorrow.

The intrigue: Cedar Point is debuting its Boardwalk area, featuring several new and existing rides — including the Matterhorn, Troika and the Atomic Scrambler — and the new Grand Pavilion dining area with a rooftop patio.

• The anchor of the Boardwalk is the new Wild Mouse roller coaster, which has spinning mouse-themed cars, speeds up to 35 mph and a 52-foot-high hill at the start.

If you go: Park hours are 10am-8pm. Tickets start at $50 online and $80 at the gate.

• Cedar Point Shores waterpark doesn't open until May 26.