WARSAW — The board of directors for the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the members of the Kosciusko County Convention Recreation Visitor Commission recently came together for a partnership retreat. The purpose of the retreat was established to accomplish three of the 18 initiatives outlined in the CVB’s 2018 – 2021 strategic plan.

One initiative was to have an annual retreat so both groups can come together for the betterment of Kosciusko County’s travel and tourism industry. The second initiative is to clarify and communicate partnership roles for destination development efforts by both the CVB and CRVC. Lastly, the two tourism-focused groups worked collectively on a vision exercise to create a Kosciusko County Destination Vision.

In addition to these strategic initiative discussions, Jill Boggs, CVB executive director, shared the 2017 Kosciusko County travel and tourism industry’s economic impact research results.

“The overall growth in spending has increased to $184.5 in 2017 from $162.2 million in 2015. Direct spending by visitors in 2017 was $127.7 million compared to $112 million in 2015. This direct spending translates to a 3.7 percent annual real growth after adjusting for inflation,” said Boggs. 

Visitor spending generated 2,096 jobs compared to 1,935 jobs in 2015. These jobs represent over 5 percent of all jobs in the county for 2017. Over one-third are in high wage occupations. The total wage and salary income generated by travel and tourism industry was nearly $36.8 million compared to $32.3 million in 2015.

The industry generated $44.1 million in tax revenues with $8.6 million locally. In addition, Kosciusko County residents contributed $18.7 million to the local travel and tourism industry.