OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Thousands of people from all over are visiting Omaha this week with a focus on tourism.
The American Bus Association convention has the potential to bring in roughly seven million dollars to the city in just four days.
On top of that, if things go as planned, Keith Backsen with Visit Omaha says it could pay off big for the city down the road.
"When you look at other cities that have hosted ABA, they say within the next three to five years of their hosting they saw upwards of almost $100 million in economic impact of future group tours that booked because they had been at ABA," Backsen said.
Visit Omaha is not only welcoming newcomers to Omaha, but highlighting the best parts to bring in potential business form tour bus companies.
"When they come here, they see the city and they get excited about it... we want them to bring their tours back here," ABA CEO and President Peter Pantuso said.
Roughly 3,000 people filled the CHI health Center to kick off the convention.
Throughout the next four days, out of towners have the opportunity to take one of ten different types of bus tours to explore Omaha, Nebraska and even surrounding states.
"We went to a tea place, we went to Big Mama's Kitchen, we went to the German-American Society," visitor Jack Hintz said. "What I like about the town is everything seems to be walk-able."
It wouldn't be a true visit without a taste of the city , so Visit Omaha had local craft root-beer and fresh Omaha Steaks to further win over future business.
