(Credit: Giorgia Trovato / Unsplash.com)
This year, $15M more is allocated for attracting additional tourists
Pennsylvania House Tourism, Recreational and Economic Development Committee Chair Rep. Mary Jo Daley said she is pleased with a $15 million state budget increase to attract more tourists to the commonwealth’s many great restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and resorts.
“Pennsylvania is a four-seasons destination, with each of our great state’s regions offering educational, historical and recreational opportunities to travelers,” said Daley, of Montgomery County. “Providing more resources to the state’s Tourism Office helps bring more attention to all that Pennsylvania has to offer and, in turn, generates even more revenue for our state.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro has been promoting Pennsylvania as the “Great American Getaway,” and the budget earmarks $19 million for tourism marketing to boost Pennsylvania’s economy, attract more visitors and support good-paying jobs.
“We’re thrilled that tourism marketing received a $15 million increase in the 2024-25 budget to help boost our economy, attract more visitors, and support good paying jobs in Pennsylvania,” said Anne Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the Department of Community and Development. “Tourism, which is a key piece of Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic development strategy, generates over $76 billion and supports more than 486,000 jobs each year. We are working hard to encourage the tens of millions of people who live within a few hours’ drive of our commonwealth to make Pennsylvania their Great American Getaway.”
The increased investment puts Pennsylvania on par with its neighboring states for funding. Statewide tourism promotion funding had been stagnant at about $4 million per year since 2017, and the $15 million increase brings the total in this year’s budget to over $19 million.
“Pennsylvania’s great outdoors welcomes tourists and residents alike to experience the incredible range of magnificent outdoor experiences the Keystone State has to offer” said Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania’s director of outdoor recreation. “This investment will do more than grow our tourism industry, it will activate our trails, rivers, forests, and parks for the development of our economy and competitiveness of our commonwealth.”
“These additional resources will allow us to reach more potential visitors with information about Pennsylvania’s unparalleled recreation opportunities,” Daley said. “Our mountains, forests, lakes and streams are some of the commonwealth’s greatest resources.”
A report unveiled by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office in March shows Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $76.7 billion in economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, contributed $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 192.4 million visitors in 2022.
“When we invest in tourism, we get incredible returns on that investment,” Daley said. “I’m pleased that the governor is taking a proactive approach to tourism and revamping Pennsylvania’s look. I look forward to what comes next.”
