Published: May 15, 2008 11:31 pm            

Tourism stalls in Howard County

Lt. governor brings message of hope to business luncheon

While tourism appears to be on the rise in Indiana as a whole, Howard County is seemingly at a standstill.

“We’re flat compared to last year,” said Peggy Hobson, executive director of the Kokomo/ Howard County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The CVB sponsored a women in business luncheon held at the Continental Ballroom Thursday, focusing on ways to increase tourism in Howard County.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman was a guest speaker for the event.

Hobson explained that tourism does contribute greatly to Kokomo and Howard County economic development.

“Every time someone comes to Kokomo they eat in the restaurants, spend money on gas,” Hobson explained. “If they have time in between meetings, they go shopping at the mall and stay overnight at a hotel. On average, they spend $150 in the community. That’s a conservative [estimate].”

Hobson said a tourist is defined as anyone coming from 50 miles away or further to reach his or her destination. She said Chrysler and Delphi were major sources of tourism bringing individuals to Kokomo for an extended period of time. Those numbers have recently declined.

However Hobson and members of the CVB are considering other strategies to bring in visitors, such as traveling teams for athletic events and promoting Kokomo’s automotive heritage.

“Sports are huge. We’re putting staff and money into making our facilities better,” she said.

Skillman gave local entrepreneurs hope for the tourism industry.

“In Indiana, tourism contributed almost $10 billion to the state’s economy,” she said. “There are 260,000 Hoosiers employed in the tourism industry. That number is up by more than 170,000 jobs in tourism since 2002.

“Howard County’s traditional strength is in manufacturing. I know that strength has been tested. ... We have learned the hard way — in many communities — why diversity is so important to the local economy.”

Skillman believes things will improve for the county. She said Howard County is unique in its automotive heritage, highlighting the Elwood Haynes Museum and the Automotive Heritage Museum.

“These are must sees in the home of America’s first car,” she said.

Skillman said the state has a long way before reaching its economic goals but it is moving in the right direction.

“Indiana’s economic comeback has begun,” she said.

        

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