Pennsylvania Aims to Boost Tourism with $65 Million in Proposed Budget Funding

Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to driving tourism and economic growth in Pennsylvania, with a proposed budget calling for $65 million in funding to prepare for America's 250th birthday in 2026. Under the Shapiro Administration, Pennsylvania's tourism industry has grown significantly, with a $7 billion increase in economic impact and the creation of 30,000 jobs. A new report from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office shows that tourism generated $83.9 billion in economic impact, supported 514,261 jobs, and contributed $5 billion in state and local taxes in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Governor Josh Shapiro is proposing $65 million in funding in the 2025-26 budget to boost tourism and economic growth in Pennsylvania, with a focus on preparing for America's 250th birthday in 2026.
• Under the Shapiro Administration, Pennsylvania's tourism industry has grown significantly, with a $7 billion increase in economic impact and the creation of 30,000 jobs.
• The tourism industry in Pennsylvania generated $83.9 billion in economic impact, supported 514,261 jobs, and contributed $5 billion in state and local taxes in 2024.
• Visitor spending topped $49.9 billion in 2024, an increase of 4.2 percent year-over-year.
• The international visitor market increased its share to 4.2 percent of tourism demand in 2024.
• The Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism report is compiled at the Pennsylvania Tourism Office with information provided by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, and data supplied by Longwoods International.
• The new VisitPA.com website was launched to make it easier for visitors to explore Pennsylvania's attractions and plan their trip.
• The Shapiro Administration is committed to strengthening the tourism industry and creating real opportunity for more Pennsylvanians through its focus on tourism and rejuvenation.

Statistics:

• $83.9 billion: economic impact of tourism in Pennsylvania in 2024
• 514,261: jobs supported by the tourism industry in Pennsylvania in 2024
• $5 billion: state and local taxes contributed by tourism in 2024
• 201.6 million: visitors to Pennsylvania in 2024, an increase of nearly 10 million from 2023
• $49.9 billion: visitor spending in Pennsylvania in 2024
• 4.2 percent: international visitor market share of tourism demand in 2024
• 30,000: new jobs created in the tourism industry since 2023
• $7 billion: increase in economic impact of tourism in Pennsylvania since 2023
• $65 million: proposed funding for tourism in the 2025-26 budget

Sources:

• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
• Governor Josh Shapiro
• Pennsylvania Tourism Office
• Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company
• Longwoods International
• VisitPA.com
• Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism report