Wheeling’s Holiday Celebrations Bring In Millions Of Dollars For The Local Economy From Tourists 

Nov 16, 2023

News

Christmas lights, parades, and football bring a lot of people to Wheeling and Ohio County during this magical time of year, which also helps to boost the local economy.

“The holiday season in Wheeling in Ohio County is perhaps the premiere time of the year,” said Frank O’Brien, director, of Visit Wheeling.

The Festival of Lights in Oglebay is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Along with hundreds of people attending the city’s Winter on the Plaza event, thousands will congregate around Wheeling’s Fantasy in Lights Parade.

When you have several hundred thousand people spending time in your community, they spend anywhere between $3 to $5 million while they’re here, and sometimes, it’s even more than that,” O’Brien said.

Many more will also swarm Wheeling Island Stadium for the Super Six High School Championship games.

Large crowds are drawn to Wheeling’s downtown by an increase in events and performances at WesBanco Arena and the capital theatre.

Numerous people will be dining out, lodging in hotels, and making purchases from neighborhood merchants.

And even though the city is lined with substantial construction, many people are still traveling there and managing to make ends meet.

“We have been able to actually track some of that,” O’Brien said. “I’m not going to say that the roads are not a problem — and the sidewalks being torn up is a problem — but we are finding that people are still coming, primarily to the events at the arena and Capital Theatre.”

According to O’Brien, tourism generates about $800 million in revenue for the Northern Panhandle annually.

Moreover, it’s reasonable to anticipate making close to $10 million in the county just this season.

“It’s a crucial time for tourism in our area, and I think we do it better than anybody else,” O’Brien said. As the holidays draw near, there will be plenty of opportunities to spread cheer and wealth.

Learn More About:

Share on Social Media

Sarmind is a Writer and an aspiring Editor who has experience in various short and long-form niches. Her academic pursuits intensely mold her industry background in content creation. She holds a Master's degree in Literature, and when not writing for professional purposes, she can be found re-reading old classics of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. She is super fond of cats and enjoys hours of doom-scrolling through memes on social media while cuddled up with a cup of desi chai. She likes to think she is an intellectual badass (colloquial: nerdy bore), and now all she needs is a sewing kit to complete the look!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

title-img Related

READ MORE Venice Reveals 2024 Dates For Tourist Entry Fees

Venice Reveals 2024 Dates For Tourist Entry Fees: Report

BY Sarmind SafiNov 24, 2023

Are you planning to visit Venice? Have you been looking for things to do in Rome or best hotels in Rome? Before you do that here is some news to stay updated on. Venice has unveiled the 29 dates in 2024 when the new €5 entry fee will become active for day-trippers starting on 25 April, which is a public holiday in Italy. The fee is said to be applicable only for day trips and not those who are staying overnight. On Thursday Mayor Luigi Brugnaro confirmed on Thursday further adding that the multi-lingual booking system will be operating from January 16. The dates when the entry fee will be in place are 25 April to 5 May and every other weekend in May (11,12, 18, 19, 25, 26 May), It will last four weekends in June (8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 June) and the first two weekends in July (6, 7, 13, 14 July). On the days mentioned the entry fee system will be effective from 08:30 to 16:00 along with penalties of up to €300 if the rules are violated. ANSA news agency has reported Brugnaro of saying that once the day trippers pay the fee they will receive a QR code "which will be checked randomly" at eight access gates to the historic center. "It is an experiment that has never been done anywhere in the world" - Brugnaro told reporters - "The city is complex and fragile, but it is alive, and we have the obligation to take measures because in the historic center, at certain times of the year, there is crowding that we must reduce." Brugnaro underlined that the trial measure "will cost us more than we will earn" and is "to evaluate the bookability of the city, which will never be closed". This move which kept getting postponed due to the covid pandemic and other logistic obstacles is designed to ease the added pressure hordes of tourists pose to the fragile lagoon city. Read Also: Chinese And US Presidents Have Come To A Common Ground Regarding Tourism Facilitation! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol

READ MORE Best Restaurants In The US

10 Best Restaurants In The US

BY Sarmind SafiOct 14, 2023

Restaurants make any place light up with energy and good vibes. They help upscale a neighborhood. Food joints highlight the native cuisine and community. The best restaurants around the country give their all in bringing a perfect lineup of hospitality, food, hygiene, and architecture. Here are the top 10 restaurants that you can visit for any occasion, ranging from solo dinners to family outings to romantic restaurant dates. Perilla LA “Excellent food, atmosphere and service. My friends and I enjoyed a wonderful Korean pancake, a chef Waygu tasting plate for each person, potato's, and the grilled egg plant (the star dish of the evening). We also enjoyed some cocktails that our waitor Arden suggested which paired perfectly with the meal.” - maxamil432 https://twitter.com/SERCatalunya/status/1663924210450808832?s=20 Noodle In A Haystack “All dishes were fantastic! Best chawanmushi and ramen I've had by far! Atmosphere is also very nice, great music, intimate setting, courses came out promptly. The chefs and Pearl were so inviting, informative, and are very genuine people! My husband and I had a great time here and would definitely recommend!” - Monica M. https://twitter.com/tablehopper/status/1522001720552742912?s=20 Maty’s “This is a Peruvian Restaurant, very well located. With diverse plates oriented on oriental food with international touch. The attention its very good and the food... No comments. Great and delicious. Is a place to enjoy with friends or family.” - Joseodalisortiz https://twitter.com/TheWhetPalette/status/1700931551301668928?s=20 Molotov Kitchen + Cocktails “Exceptional food, nice ambiance. Lovely service. We were so sad to see To The Wind close after so many years. (It was beyond terrific.) But Molotov is carrying the torch! Really one of the few truly good places to dine in Denver.” - C R. https://twitter.com/cheryltiu/status/1635382755994509312?s=20 Prik Hom “ This tiny restaurant is away from the usual tourist trail in Patong. Located in a Teak House on Nanoi Rd it's a little hard to find - well worth the effort. The restaurant seats around 12 people. For a small place there's lots to choose from on the menu. The salty stir fried pork is delicious, as is the fried rice. Delicious food prepared to order. This isn't a fast food place, so be prepared to sit and relax with a drink while your meal is cooked - it's worth the wait.” - JocelynC885 https://twitter.com/HungryOnionSF/status/1629616622313848833?s=20 Quarter Sheets “Ok yes this placed lives up to the hype. The wait may be long but it is so worth it. The Bianca was definitely a crowd favorite and the crust is so perfectly salty and crispy. Will be coming back soon!” - Archeta R. https://twitter.com/Gennefer/status/1568459081299673101?s=20 La Diabla Pozole Y Mezcal “Our friends and ourselves had a fantastic late lunch there today. From the Pozole to the ceviche to the guacamole, the tacos and the Margarites, everything was EXCELLENT! The service was fast and friendly and the prices were very reasonable.” - Dan07030 https://twitter.com/GovofCO/status/1697369092598948016?s=20 In Bocca Al Lupo “We were very delighted with all the experience. The food was so delicious and well presented that we ate four times here, in the evening, on a very nice atmosphere. The prices are affordable, we spent around 50 euros on two mains (lamb and ravioli), a memorable desert and two drinks (a glass of sangria and a martini). Thank you for the lovely gourmet experience!” - Mihaela A https://twitter.com/thesilverbow/status/1679504504172040199?s=20 Yess “LA's most under rated restaurant. Chef Junya Yamasaki is a master of his craft, serving a one of a kind dining experience. I've been here three times, and every single time the menu has been different, crafted around seasonal ingredients and his catch of the week.” - Menooa Z. https://twitter.com/F2Consort/status/1334412726764888065?s=20 Ore Hill “Very unique restaurant... really different menu, but something for everyone. We wanted pizza...it was great! The location is great. Outside atmosphere is really nice. Great, friendly staff” - Kim Z https://twitter.com/insider_ct/status/1704176431675195804?s=20 Keep Reading: National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago Maldives And Bora Bora Among Top 10 Tourists Spots In The World

READ MORE Best Tourism Villages In The World

Best Tourism Villages In The World 2023

BY Sarmind SafiOct 31, 2023

When you are looking for places to visit, there are uncountable places that can be considered. But when you narrow your scope down to a slow-paced locality that has all the natural charms to get you feeling rejuvenated, the places become a lot less blingy and more earthy. The United Nations World Tourism Organization enlists all the names in world tourism. The organization has, in the past three years, recognized villages around the globe that "are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions." Here are some of them: Hakuba, Japan Hakuba may be famous for its winters, but it's worth a visit year-round. In the summer, he loves hiking up the mountains to lodges. In the autumn, it is popular with visitors who want to see the autumn foliage. And Hakuba's onsens – hot springs – are popular no matter the season. Lerici, Italy Unlike many other coastal Italian enclaves, Lerici has also kept up its traditional fishing industry. Among various sustainability initiatives, the town runs a pilot project called Smart Bay, which includes scientific research and monitoring of the bay and its ecosystems. It also introduced solar panels, banned single-use plastics, and prohibited cigarette smoking in coastal areas. Lephis, Ethiopia For natural beauty and wildlife, it's hard to beat the village of Lephis, located in Lephis Forest, around 160km south of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Travelers can trek or horseback ride past the striking Lephis Waterfall and through hills and valleys, catching glimpses of animals, including colobus monkeys, leopards, and mountain nyala. Birdwatchers are in for a particular treat, with species including the Abyssian oriole and white-cheeked turaco. Some of the other villages are Douma, Lebanon, and Zapatoca, Colombia. Read Also: 10 Best Restaurants In The US Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists Sri Lanka Has Approved Visa-Free Entry For Visitors From Six Countries Including India