Tom Schmidis president and CEO of Columbus Zoo Conservation Parks.
For nearly a century, the Columbus Zoohas been a place where families make memories, children discover a lifelong passion for wildlife and people from around the world experience the best of Ohio. Those moments are what most people remember after a visit.
What they may not realize is that the Zoo is also one of the region's strongest economic engines.
A new independent economic impact studyfound that the Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay and Safari Golf Club generated more than $612 million in economic activity across Ohio in 2025, supporting more than 4,700 jobs and generating nearly $39 million in state and local tax revenue. Those numbers tell an important story – not just about our
organization, but about the role destination attractions play in helping communities thrive.
When people choose to spend a day at the Zoo, they rarely spend only a day at the Zoo.
Families stay in local hotels. They eat at nearby restaurants. They shop at local businesses. They fill up their vehicles before heading home. Those dollars circulate through our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and creating opportunities for businesses throughout central Ohio.
In 2025 alone, nearly 293,000 guests traveled to our parks from outside Ohio, while millions more visited from communities across the state. They came from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., choosing central Ohio as a destination because of experiences they simply can't find anywhere else.
Tourism has become one of Ohio's greatest economic strengths, and attractions like the Columbus Zoo help ensure our state remains competitive. Every visitor who chooses Ohio instead of another destination represents new dollars flowing into our communities, strengthening local businesses and supporting working families.
The economic impact extends well beyond tourism.
The Columbus Zoo employs more than 1,000 people, while Zoombezi Bay and Safari Golf Club provide hundreds more seasonal and year-round employment opportunities. Together, our parks create careers in animal care, animal health, conservation, education, hospitality, construction, landscaping, food service, retail, public safety and countless other professions. Every capital investment we make – from new exhibits to guest amenities – creates additional opportunities for Ohio workers and businesses.
But perhaps the most important thing to remember is that economic impact is not our mission. It is the result of our mission.
Every day, our team comes to work focused on caring for animals, advancing wildlife conservation, inspiring future generations and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. Those efforts improve quality of life in our community while strengthening the economy that supports it.
That's a powerful reminder that investing in institutions dedicated to education, conservation and community isn't simply the right thing to do – it also makes sound economic sense.
As central Ohio continues to grow, we have an opportunity to think bigger about what attracts families, businesses and talented workers to our region. People want vibrant communities with places that educate, inspire and create lasting memories. The Columbus Zoo has proudly filled that role for nearly 100 years.
As we prepare to enter our second century, we're committed to continuing that work – investing in experiences that inspire conservation, supporting our local economy, creating jobs and welcoming guests from across Ohio and around the world.
Because when the Columbus Zoo succeeds, the benefits extend far beyond our gates. They ripple across our neighborhoods, our businesses and our state, helping ensure Ohio remains a place where families, communities and wildlife can all thrive.
Tom Schmid is president and CEO of Columbus Zoo Conservation Parks, overseeing the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay and Safari Golf Club. A respected leader in the zoo and aquarium profession, Schmid advances the organization’s mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. through a focus on conservation, education, community engagement, organizational growth and innovative guest experiences.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo brings millions into Ohio's economy. Here's how we do it | Opinion
