John Oliver has been part of a massive expansion of Erie tourism. What’s next for him?

For 23 years as CEO of VisitErie, John Oliver has been working to encourage people to spend some free time in Erie.

That effort has gotten some traction. During that period, hundreds of new hotel rooms have been built and tourism spending has more than doubled from $454 million to $1.2 billion a year.

Now, at the age of 72, Oliver has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.

“I think it was a realization that I would like to spend more time with my family,” he said. “I felt like it was time.”

Oliver, a native of Niagara Falls, New York, said he never grew tired of the job.

“I have always said that the day I get up and don’t want to go to work I am going to retire. That day never came,” he said. “But I would like to spend more with my family and playing golf.”

There have been plenty of high points during his tenure in Erie, including the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, that drew an estimated 100,000 people to Erie County.

Another came earlier this year when Oliver filmed a video response to tell that other John Oliver, the host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” a little about the city of Erie.

Before the summer was over, the television host would choose the Erie SeaWolves for a much-publicized renaming event that would see the team temporarily rebranded as the Moon Mammoths.

“That was a lot of fun and it was interesting,” Oliver said. It also accomplished one of his favorite things — it drew positive attention to his adopted hometown.

How Erie tourism is changing with the times

Ask Oliver for signs that Erie’s tourism sector has grown and he talks about the growth in spending by tourists, new hotel rooms and the expansion of local attractions.

“I think tourism is now being recognized as one of the strong legs of the Erie economy,” he said.

New events and attractions help make Erie more attractive to visitors, but they also improve the quality of life for local residents, Oliver said.

The ability of Erie County’s tourism promotion industry to market the region has been bolstered by an expansion of the hotel bed tax that helped grow the VisitErie budget from $400,000 to $3.3 million, Oliver said.

More money is only part of what changed.

In recent years, VisitErie has expanded its efforts to learn more about visitors by using advanced data mining and market research tools.

Oliver has helped shape the perception of Erie

Gus Pine, who is executive director of Erie Events and chairman of VisitErie, said in a statement that Oliver was known for strategic insight and quiet persistence.

“John’s vision and passion for Erie have shaped the way our community is seen and experienced,” he said.

Nick Scott Sr., president of Erie-based Scott Enterprises, which owns numerous hotels and restaurants as well as Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park, has witnessed the growth of Erie as a tourist destination.

Oliver has been an important part of that growth, he said.

“I think he has done a great job,” Scott said. “He has been very steady and he’s always had Erie’s best interest at heart.”

Scott would like to see even more money made available for those efforts. For now, though, he’s happy with the growth of what the community has to offer.

“Tourism in Erie is on fire in a good way and he was a part of that,” Scott said. “I think he should be applauded for his role.”

The VisitErie board has hired a search firm to identify Oliver’s successor.

“I have loved what I have done, but I think it’s a good time to leave,” Oliver said. “There is a great staff in place. I know they will continue to strive and continue to improve.”