Family travel is on the rise. Parents are increasingly prioritizing experiences over things, looking for destinations that blend culture, entertainment, and affordability. That shift has put cities like Cleveland, home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Cedar Point, the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, firmly on the map as must-visit family destinations.

But here’s what many people miss: these “must-see” spots aren’t just great for travelers. They’re powerful signals for investors, pointing to markets where hospitality, multifamily, and industrial real estate opportunities are expanding.

Cleveland Is Climbing Tourism Rankings

Cleveland’s recent rise in visibility is hard to ignore. In Tripadvisor’s 2025 Trending U.S. Destinations, it earned a coveted #3 spot, thanks to high traveler review volume and positive sentiment. 

It’s also been recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 10 family-friendly vacation spots in the U.S., landing at #7, praised for its “budding arts and culture scene” and standout institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. 

And while not directly tourism-focused, its 2025 ParkScore ranking reflects enhanced livability (88% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park) a quality of life boost that resonates with both travelers and residents.

Why Tourism Trends Translate to Investment Signal Strength

Rising tourism rankings don’t just boost guest numbers, they reflect a city's growing cultural appeal, brand strength, and infrastructure readiness. From an investment standpoint, that translates into:

• Hospitality Tailwinds: Elevated occupancy and RevPAR driven by increased interest.
• Multifamily Demand: Visitors discovering the city often convert into residents, driving rental and homeownership demand.
• Ecosystem Expansion: More visitors mean stronger ancillary markets - restaurants, attractions, local retail, and logistics.

Tourism & Economic Fundamentals in Numbers

• Visitor Growth: In 2023, Cuyahoga County welcomed 18.34 million visitors, a 2.2% increase over 2022 - back to pre-pandemic levels. 
• Cultural Gravity: Cedar Point alone draws 3.5 million annual visitors, while the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame pulls in another 500,000, drawing diverse audience segments.
• Advantages in Affordability: Cleveland’s cost of living is roughly 50% lower than NYC or SF, yet it delivers on culture, healthcare, and lifestyle - an investment sweet spot.

Taken together, travelers are choosing Cleveland for its value and substance, and investors should take notice.

Turning Signals Into Strategy

Project Scarlet is our most ambitious step yet, blending hospitality, multifamily, and lifestyle into one connected investment platform. On the hotel side, we’re adding 23 Marriott-branded suites designed to meet Cleveland’s rising visitor demand.

These suites aren’t just more rooms. They are:

• A way to capture peak tourism demand tied to Cleveland’s growing recognition.
• A strategy to extend visitor stays and strengthen connections to the city.
• An opportunity to convert short-term visits into long-term relationships, both for residents and investors.

Project Scarlet reflects our core thesis: when families and travelers are drawn to a city, capital should follow.

Investment Implications: Building on Momentum

We interpret these signals through three investment lenses:

1. Hospitality Assets
   Short- and mid-term tourism tailwinds, powered by trending lists and cultural appeal, make select-service hotels, boutique stays, and extended-stay assets particularly appealing.
   
   
2. Multifamily Near Lifestyle Hubs
   Attractions, parks, and growing recognition help fuel residential interest. As more people come for weekend getaways, they often stay, driving sustained demand in well-located multifamily markets.
   
   
3. Industrial & Supportive Infrastructure
   Tourism growth supports the broader economy: suppliers, distribution centers, and F&B infrastructure all benefit from increased volume.

Cleveland’s Value Prop as an Investment Platform

• Affordable Entry, High Upside: Lower cap rates in emerging Midwestern markets offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.
• Cultural & Civic Growth: National recognition (Tripadvisor, NatGeo), improved parks planning (ParkScore investments), and renewed energy infrastructure strengthen the investment backdrop.
• Diversified Demand: A combination of tourism, healthcare, sports, and culture creates resilient multi-sector demand - ideal for long-term portfolio exposure.

When travel lists talk about roller coasters and rock legends, they often miss the bigger story. Cleveland’s rise on trending tourism lists is more than PR, it’s a market pulse. We see destinations like Cleveland as living, growing stories where visitor interest today seeds returns tomorrow.

Sources & Stats

• Tripadvisor Trending U.S. Destinations (#3 for 2025) 
• National Geographic - #7 family-friendly U.S. vacation spot 
• Cuyahoga County visitor volume: 18.34 million, +2.2% YoY in 2023 
• SmartAsset affordability context (~50% cheaper than NYC/SF) 
• ParkScore ranking (#30, with 88% residents near parks)