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Visitors Bureau: more than 2 million visitors in 2025, county revenue impact estimated at $20 million
Summary
The Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that 2025 saw over two million visitors countywide, contributing roughly $20 million in state and local revenue; the bureau also noted a rise in innkeepers tax collections and described outreach and data‑collection initiatives.
Corey, representing the Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the commissioners that the county welcomed over two million visitors in 2025 and that visitor spending contributed roughly $20 million in state and local revenue.
"In 2025 Kosciusko County welcomed over two million visitors, which also increased our visitors spending in an economic driver to our local businesses," Corey said, summarizing the bureau's annual metrics and stressing the tourism sector's role in supporting hospitality jobs and local commerce.
The visitor center continues to serve as a county resource for information about events, lodging and attractions, Corey said, and the bureau is expanding outreach through a "visitor center on the road" program that brings staff to small communities. The bureau also highlighted use of a countywide visitor-counting tool (referred to in the record as Police Area AI) to estimate attendance at large events and guide marketing efforts.
Corey told commissioners that innkeepers tax (room tax) receipts are up compared with the prior year — the transcript records a year-to-date increase of approximately $30,000 — and that short-term rentals account for roughly 30% of the current collection. The bureau is developing a 2027–2029 strategic plan and said it will share the plan with county commissioners when complete.
Commissioners asked questions about how the data are collected and noted appreciation for the visitor-center outreach; no action was requested or taken. The transcript includes promotional and programmatic details but does not attach the bureau's written annual report; readers should consult the bureau's published materials for full metrics and methodology.
