Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jill Boggs handed out National Tourism Week buttons. Pictured from left are Warsaw Community Public Library Director Ann Zydek, Robin Fosnaugh, WCPL, and Boggs. (Photos by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Despite a cold, rainy morning, a crowd turned out at the Kosciusko County Visitors Center to celebrate National Tourism Week.

The visitors center, located on US 30, serves as a location where guests and area residents can go to learn more about various attractions throughout Kosciusko County — dining, shopping, entertainment, the lakes and other activities and locations.

“Tourism is thought of as the welcome mat to economic development,” Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jill Boggs said.

According to Boggs, tourism accounts for more than $1 billion in income for Indiana and is the sixth largest industry in the state. In Kosciusko County, both day visitors and overnight guests bring income. The local tourism commission is a governing body that collects an innkeepers tax for overnight visitors, bringing additional dollars to the visitors center and, ultimately, the local area.

“If we didn’t have tourism, every household in the state would pay $500 more per year to make up for that,” Boggs said.

Picnic attendees ate free hot dogs and bratwurst from One Ten Craft Meatery and listened as local radio stations held live remote broadcasts. The center also hosted an open house and guests could browse information and learn more about what Kosciusko County has to offer.