By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon
July 05, 2008 01:16 am
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High unemployment, a foreclosure epidemic and soaring fuel prices normally spells big trouble for a county that prides itself on tourism trade.
But Ashtabula County is fending off a slump in visitors, and actually attracting people looking for a nearby getaway that won’t bust the household budget.
The county is positioning itself as a destination spot for folks seeking a diversion within a few hours of their front door, said Mark Winchell, director of the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We’re predominately a drive market, and people are still traveling,” he said. “But now they’re looking at a one- or 1 1/2-hour drive time.”
As a result, the county has launched a regional advertising campaign that promotes the area as a “one-tank trip” destination, Winchell said. The goal is to reach the traveler who has scrubbed the cross-country jaunt because of gas prices but still wants a a change of scenery, he said.
“We’re in a prime position to take advantage of today’s gas prices.” he said.
The sour economy has also prompted more locals to rediscover area attractions. “People are staying closer to home,” Winchell said.
One big beneficiary has been Geneva-on-the-Lake, said Marge Milliken, executive director of the Geneva-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce. People are pouring into the village at an unprecedented rate, she said.
Merchants are doing business at levels “well above last year,” Milliken said.
“We just had the best Memorial Day on record and a big weekend on Father’s Day,” she said. “I would project, weather permitting, that this could be our best season ever.”
Travelers are shelving their long-distance plans and giving places like Geneva-on-the-Lake a look, Milliken said. “More people are traveling three hours or less, if possible,” she said.
As a result, the county is attracting interest from vacationers in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland and Akron, Milliken said.
“They’re all coming to the lake,” she said. “Our cottages are full and the motels are nearly full.”
Rosemari Hummer-Dietz, the GOTL Chamber’s administrative assistant, agreed. “This place is busting open,” she said.
Other parts of the county are getting attention, too. Cabins and campsites are in demand at Pymatuning Lake State Park, said Phil Vichosky, manager.
“Instead of spending a couple hours at the park, people are staying longer,” he said. “We’re seeing more overnight usage. All our campsites were filled on Memorial Day.”
Part of the success can be attributed to a new state law that now allows boats with more powerful engines to ply the lake. Engines at 20 horsepower are now welcome, but don’t expect any additional increases, Vichosky said.
“This is a fishing lake and will remain a fishing lake,” he said.
Attendance is down 33 percent compared to 2007 at one of the county’s prime museums, the Ashtabula Marine Museum, but other factors beside the economy may be are at work, said Bob Frisbie, director.
“We’re down some this year, but it’s hard to tell in June,” he said. “We don’t get a lot of visitors until after things settle down and people get ready to take their vacations.”
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