Governor signs bill to improve how Ohio promotes tourism

CLEVELAND - Gov. John Kasich paid a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Thursday morning to sign into law a bill that will streamline the funding process, and could double the amount of money Ohio spends to promote tourism in the state.

Kasich signed Senate Bill 314 surrounded by sponsors State Representatives Mike Dovilla and Christina Hagan and other area officials and guests.

The bill renames the Office of Ohio Tourism to the Office of TourismOhio. Funding for the office will now come from a percentage of tourism-related sales tax growth. When tourism-related tax receipts increase, the State of Ohio and local tax coffers will increase, and the Office of TourismOhio will receive more dollars to market Ohio. 

TourismOhio's current budget is $5 million. Under the new formula, it's share of tourism related income could increase the budget up to a maximum of $10 million per year.

This new method of funding will allow Ohio to become more competitive in its tourism marketing abilities with surrounding states. Those states' tourism promotion budgets currently average $10 million each.