Tourism in Chillicothe and Ross County saw measurable growth in 2025, according to the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau’s newly released Annual Report.
The report shows lodging tax collections increased by 4% over the past year — a key indicator of growth in overnight visitation. Even more notably, trips originating from outside of Ohio rose by 6.1%, signaling expanded geographic reach and increased awareness of Ross County as a travel destination.
Total visitor spending climbed 4.9% in 2025, reinforcing tourism’s role as a significant economic driver for local restaurants, hotels, attractions and small businesses.
“This growth reflects the strength of our destination and the effectiveness of our strategic marketing efforts,” said Executive Director Melody Young. “Tourism is not just about attracting visitors; it directly supports local jobs, strengthens small businesses, and generates revenue for our community.”
The Bureau credits much of the growth to expanded advertising campaigns and targeted outreach efforts. Website traffic increased by 28% in 2025, driven largely by new users discovering the destination for the first time.
Traveler engagement also rose sharply. Visitor inquiries were received from all 50 states, and more than 5,000 informational packets were mailed to prospective visitors planning trips to Ross County — a sign of both increased awareness and clear intent to travel to the area.
The Bureau is funded through lodging tax revenue generated by hotels, bed and breakfasts, and short-term rentals across Ross County. Those funds are reinvested into marketing efforts aimed at attracting overnight visitors, making tourism promotion self-sustaining while delivering measurable returns for the hospitality sector.
Officials say the organization will continue expanding digital campaigns and targeting out-of-state markets in 2026 to build on this year’s momentum and drive sustained economic growth.
The full 2025 Annual Report is available at VisitChillicotheOhio.com.
