For those of you who may not realize it Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the country in total visitors at 138 million people! In 2007 those visitors generated $2.8 billion in state and municipal revenues. Tourism also is the second largest industry in PA with 400,000 employees who earn $10.7 billion in wages and benefits yearly. Tourism accounts for over 6% of all jobs in the commonwealth. Each of the 4.9 million households in the Commonwealth of PA saves $575
in taxes annually thanks to the taxes generated by the tourism industry. * Why does all this matter? Because recently the politicians in Harrisburg and the Governor’s office have decided to do away with tourism funding. I know you are asking yourself the same question I am, “How do you get rid of something that actually makes the state money?”. Unfortunately we must now call or email our senators, congressman, and the governor and ask this question of them. The politicians in Colorado made the same move a few years ago and they dropped from second in the country in visits to eleventh. The loss in tourism revenue was staggering! Be assured, we can expect the same results from the cuts that have been established. Only a politician could make a mistake like this. If one was to look at return on investment, the state gets ten dollars in return for every dollar spent, and this is a conservative estimate. Please get involved and let people know, TOURISM MATTERS!
