Tourism can affect your pocketbook, even if you're not the tourist. That's why the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau is stepping up its efforts to lure tourists.
The hope is to get visitors of the Beach, Kings Island and Great Wolf Lodge to hit other nearby businesses.
If visitors come to Warren County on a package deal offered by the bureau they now get a bonus: an envelope full of coupons that points people to Lebanon to redeem the deals.
A wooden coin comes in the envelope. It will get you a buck off at the shop called Beneath the Tree in Historic Lebanon.
Mary Ricks owns the store. She says, "We can have some really good days, but it's a little harder to get them because everyone's being a little tighter and looking for specials – so, you're always running specials."
There's also a coupon for free samples of Whit's frozen custard and a free ticket for a child on the LM&M Railroad.
Ray Krammer, the railroad president said, "We're doing whatever we can to draw people to our attraction and other local attractions, so if they feel like they're getting a good deal – they'll bring more people with them.”
It's all about getting the cash register ringing.
Waynesville has created a similar package. Visitors say it's a great idea.
"Right now, we're all trying to pinch pennies or save money one way or another, but you still want good products but for a good price," said Robyn Carter, who was visiting Lebanon for the day from her home north of Dayton.
Those who are working on the project say it's about exposing visitors to what the area has to offer. The more that's spent – the more the rest of us benefit.
"Each U.S. Household would pay $965 more dollars annual in taxes without tourism on a national level," says Jennifer Burns, of the WCCVB.
"That certainly translates locally to lower taxes and more revenue for the county," she added.
The Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau is working on creating some new packages which will include the new “zip line” and canoeing.
Those will be launched at the end of the month.
