WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s Convention And Visitors Bureau handed out bratwurst and hotdogs with all the fixings on Thursday, May 9 as part of the organization’s recognition of tourism in general, as well the impact on tourism locally.

The event, the National Tourism Week Community Cookout and Open House, was held to commemorate National Tourism Week. According to Jill Boggs, KCCVB executive director, the event was made possible with the help of area businesses, including One Ten Craft Meatery, the supplier of the food during the event. Other sponsors included local radio stations WIOE, WLZQ, Z93, WRSW and Willie 103.5; NIPSCO, SYM Financial and Advance Disposal. The event also featured a door prize with a theme of Experience Kosciusko County.

According to the bureau’s website, tourism ranks sixth in Indiana among the state’s top industries. The bureau estimated that visitors to the county accounted for $185 million in revenue in 2017, including 2,096 tourism-related jobs and $36.8 million in wages. Boggs said $8 of the total revenue returned to the county in the form of tax revenue. ‘“

“This is our fourth year of doing this on the Thursday of National Tourism Week to bring recognition to Kosciusko County and what travelers find interesting here and in our efforts of destination marketing,” Boggs said.

Boggs said that locally, food, recreation and shopping are big draws to the county.

“I don’t think some people realize that we have more than 50 unique local shops in the county,” she said. “All that creates a big impact, it helps create a sense of place to draw employers and workers here.”