ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM
Economic Impact of Tourism l Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Measure Economic Impact l
Economic Impact and Sustainability of National Heritage Areas | Resources
Economic Impact of Tourism
Heritage tourism is the largest industry in the world and the second largest industry in Pennsylvania. As an economic and community development organization, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) promotes the region’s assets, it heightens the awareness of how special this place is, and it encourages people from everywhere to visit and enjoy this unique place on the map. There is no question that heritage tourism brings significant amounts of money to Northeastern Pennsylvania. This translates into a higher quality of life for area citizens, stronger communities, effective regional partnerships, and more local jobs.
Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Measure Economic Impact
Pennsylvania has twelve Heritage Areas. An important element of the work of heritage areas is to draw visitors to heritage sites, facilities, and other attractions. In 2008, eight heritage areas participated in an economic impact study to assess the characteristics of the visitors to their sites and to estimate the impact of these visitors on the local economies. The study found that
- An estimated 17.3 million visitors visited the network of Pennsylvania Heritage Areas.
- These visitors generated $1.6 billion in direct and indirect sales.
- These sales were enough to support more than 31,500 jobs, which paid nearly $600 million in wages and salaries.
- The total direct and indirect value-added to Commonwealth in 2008 from heritage tourism is estimated to be $934 million. This came in the form of personal income to workers, profits and rents to businesses, and indirect business taxes paid to government.
Economic Impact and Sustainability of National Heritage Areas
In 2008, LHV joined a number of National Heritage Areas (NHA) from other parts of the country to conduct visitor surveys that gauged the economic impact of tourism in this region. These surveys are a key component of a broader study that seeks to identify the far-reaching effects that heritage-based tourism and development have on local economies. Click here to visit the website of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas to learn more about the economic impact of heritage areas, including Pennsylvania Heritage Areas.
Resources
- Partners in Tourism - Maintained by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this site is a resource for those who are developing, marketing or managing cultural heritage tourism attractions or programs. Click here to visit the website that hosts a variety of resources and economic impact studies.
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - PA DCNR commissioned a report by D. K. Shifflet & Associates of McLean, VA, to gather research information applicable to developing and refining marketing strategies to enhance the economic impact of heritage tourism, and to gain information on traveler’s perceptions and interest in Pennsylvania's Heritage Regions. Click here for the Pennsylvania Heritage Tourism Report
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation - Click here for a collection of studies on the economic impacts of historic preservation.
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