GENEVA, Ohio — The Ohio Travel Association announced Friday that Haley McFarland of Belmont County Tourism Council Inc graduated from the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy during the Ohio Conference on Travel.

The conference was held Wednesday through Friday at the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Geneva, Ohio.

The Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy is a six-month program designed to develop Ohio travel industry leaders. Programming explores travel and tourism’s role and contributions to outdoor recreation and conservation, transportation, economic development, heritage and historic preservation, and arts and culture. Sessions also focus on transportation, leadership skills, advocacy and media.

Including this year’s class of 28 graduates, there are now over 350 Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy alumni.

“Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy graduates are well-versed on travel’s undeniable contributions to communities and the state of Ohio,” said Ohio Travel Association Executive Director Melinda Huntley. “Through meetings with state leaders, individual study and group projects, these professionals are ready to lead and innovate.”

The Ohio Travel Association is the nonprofit association representing attractions, destination marketing organizations, hotels, museums, suppliers, restaurants, campgrounds and other businesses who make up Ohio’s $57 billion travel industry. For more information about the Ohio Travel Association and the 2025 Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy, visit ohiotravel.org.