The Toledo Sea Grant office has worked in other ways to strengthen the local community through the tourism industry. But being located on Lake Erie and the Maumee River at the crossroads of the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 75 makes Toledo very attractive and accessible to visitors. A visitor survey of the Toledo area conducted by Sea Grant for the Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau illustrated the importance of tourism to the region. The survey also helped focus the bureau's advertising by describing the typical Toledo visitor, according to Donnelly. The information showed where average visitors come from, how much they spend, what they spend it on, and which advertising media appeal to them.
Tourism is an expanding industry in the Toledo area.
A Lucas County Business Retention and Expansion Program coordinated by Bielen showed that 60 percent of the hospitality-related businesses in the area were considering some type of expansion. The report also revealed local business needs, such as better communication among businesses and more information about development assistance. I like to think that some of the things we've done with Ohio Sea Grant have influenced that.