(The Center Square) – An Ohio legislator has introduced a bill she believes will increase tourism and tax revenue in the state.
House bill 732 by State. Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, would create a pass program for tourists called “Ohio, The Heart of it All.” Attractions that joined the program would provide discounts to tourists who buy the passes.
The revenue from sale of the passes would go to a state fund for administering the program promoting tourism in Ohio.
Ohio residents could buy the passes at a discount.
In 2026, the pass would be offered free to Ohio residents in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“This legislation strengthens Ohio’s tourism economy,” Miller said at a news conference Tuesday. “It supports small businesses and local attractions. It drives foot traffic to our downtowns and our parks, our museums, our theaters, our restaurants and to our historic sites.”
Miller hopes Ohio attractions will offer the discounts on a voluntary basis and hopes a boost in tourism will make up for any lost revenue.
In 2024, visitors to Ohio spent $57 billion, generating $4.7 billion in revenue for the state and local governments, the legislator said.
“Tourism reduces the tax burden on our Ohio families while supporting thousands of jobs across our communities,” she said.
It also helps attract people to move to Ohio, Miller said.
Sixty-seven percent of newcomers to Ohio said they first visited their new hometowns as leisure travelers before deciding to move there, Miller said.
“When we invest in tourism, we are investing not only in economic activity but in future residents, future entrepreneurs and future workforce growth,” she said.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce endorsed the legislation Tuesday.
Ohio has some of the best attractions in the world, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, said Matt MacLaren, the chamber’s director of travel and tourism policy.
“We see it as a great way to promote Ohio’s quality of life and help connect Ohio residents to their local attractions and to help keep Ohio’s population growing,” he said. “We want people here in Ohio to be proud and to stay in Ohio and for others to move to Ohio to meet their needs as we see a growing economy.”
Members of the arts community also endorsed the bill Tuesday.
The pass creates a simple way for Ohio residents and visitors to enjoy the “extraordinary assets” there are already in the state, said Donna Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council.
“Across Ohio, arts organizations provide exhibitions, performances, festivals, classes, camps, film screenings” she said. “Many serve as anchors in downtowns and neighborhood business districts.”
The pass would create a “unified invitation” to explore Ohio, Collins said.
