EDITOR'S NOTE:This is the final part of a 4-part series dedicated to helping our local small businesses bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic through shopping local. You can read the first three installments on Nov. 17, Nov. 26 and Dec. 6.
MANSFIELD — Shopping for this year's holiday season is either winding down or picking up at a frantic pace, depending on your level of procrastination.
With only 10 days left until Christmas, you might have a couple folks on your list that have stumped you for gift ideas. That's especially true if it's someone who prefers life experiences to material stuff — or who simply doesn't have the storage space for yet another throw blanket.
Fortunately, there's a solution: experiential gifts. Not only does it give your person a chance to explore new interests and shake off the post-lockdown blues, but you're also gifting them memories that will stick with them forever.
Source: Tourism Economics, U.S. Travel Association, U.S. Department of Labor
Via U.S. Travel Association
Even better, there are plenty of experiences to be had here in Richland County that will make you feel like a tourist in your own backyard, and have the added benefit of supporting the local economy through small businesses.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 44% of U.S. gross domestic product, create two-thirds of net new jobs, and employ nearly half of America’s workforce. In Richland County, tourism is a huge factor in those statistics.
According to Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield-Richland County, tourism key to the local economy as the fourth-largest employer in the county. It also enhances quality of life for residents, making Richland County communities attractive places to live, work, and conduct business.
“The strength of our tourism economy lies in our abundance of outdoor recreation and in events and conventions that don’t require large headquarter hotels," Tasseff said.
A study from TourismOhio shows visitor spending in Richland County was down only 15.3 percent in 2020, a stark contrast to a statewide dip in traveler spending of 24.5 percent, 24.9 percent in Northeast Ohio and 42 percent nationally.
Visitor spending in 2020 was a solid $320.8 million, supporting over 4,000 jobs and generating more than $9 million in local taxes. As a result, Richland County households saved an average $400 in state and local taxes thanks to its strong tourism industry.
Source: Tourism Economics, U.S. Travel Association, U.S. Department of Labor
Via U.S. Travel Association
Here are just a few examples of experiences to gift your loved ones with this holiday season:
• Plan a romantic getaway at at Landoll's Mohican Castle in Loudonville. Relax with spa services to pamper away all that holiday shopping stress. Keep the magic going by booking a table at The Copper Mug, or head off the castle grounds and check out Black Fork Bistro.
• History lovers can pop over to Malabar State Park Farm for a tour of the Louis Bromfield Big House. The author's home sits atop one of our most serene state parks. You can enjoy hiking several trails there, and in the winter, it's possible to enjoy in sledding, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing.
• Tap into your artistic side at the Mansfield Playhouse and the Renaissance Theatre with season tickets that keep on giving year-round. Pair season tickets with a gift card or two to a downtown restaurant for pre-show drinks and appetizers. Or, gift a painting, sculpting or glass fusing class at the Mansfield Art Center.
