By Erica Solvig
Enquirer staff writer

The amount of money travelers spent last year while visiting Warren County was nearly $600 million - a 45 percent increase over just two years ago.

That's according to the results of an economic impact study the county's convention and visitors bureau is releasing today. The study shows that while the number of visitors isn't jumping dramatically, the people who are coming here are spending more.

It's big news for a county that, thanks to attractions like Paramount's Kings Island and world-class tennis tournaments, boasts tourism as its top industry.

"You couldn't ask for a better jump," said Shirley Bonekemper, the bureau's executive director. "I haven't seen anyone who's had that kind of increase. ... All indications are showing that we should have a very strong year economically this year as well."

The county's economic impact, performance and profile shows direct sales from the county's 6.5 million visitors totaled $596 million in 2003 compared with $410 million in 2001. That spending includes tourist-related purchases such as attraction tickets, lodging, food, gas and souvenirs. The tourists' spending supported 15,800 direct and indirect jobs, according to the bureau.

Warren County was one of 48 Ohio counties that purchased data from consultants compiling information for the Ohio Department of Development's Division of Travel and Tourism. Locally, the only other county to participate was Clermont, but the county's convention and visitors bureau hasn't had time to evaluate the numbers.

Statewide, figures show visitor spending jumped 23 percent over the two-year period, from $23.1 billion in 2001 to $28.5 billion in 2003. No study was done on 2002 tourism trends because of the division's budget cuts, said the state's assistant tourism director, Amir Eylon. "Warren County is just indicative of the rebounding health of our tourism economy statewide in 2003," Eylon said---

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com