'Minutes from our doorstep': Statewide report shows increased tourism revenue to Cambria and Somerset region.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Sometimes people can take for granted what's in their own backyard, said Lisa Rager, executive director of Visit Johnstown, Cambria County's official destination marketing organization.
However, Cambria County generated $300.8 million in visitor spending in 2023 – a $12 million increase over 2022, according to the recently released 'Economic Impact of Travel & Tourism in Pennsylvania Report.'
The report, released by the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, shows that visitor spending in Cambria County directly supported 2,073 jobs in 2023 and generated $74.5 million in labor income; $15 million in state and local taxes; and $17.1 million in federal taxes.
'We are really blessed to have so much that's just minutes from our doorstep, and people from other areas are traveling here to bike and hike our trails, paddle our waterways, attend a festival, and explore our rich history,' Rager said.
By category, visitor spending in Cambria County totaled $22.4 million on lodging; $68.3 million on food and beverage; $45.1 million on retail; $58.8 million on recreation; and $106.2 million on transportation, the report said.
The latest tally represents a 97.35% recovery from pre-COVID-19 spending, which stood at $309 million in 2019, Visit Johnstown said in a press release.
Rager expressed confidence that the county will continue to increase visitor spending in the future.
'Visit Johnstown has been facilitating the rebranding of the area to focus on the area's outdoor recreation and experiences that only this area can claim,' she said.
The Path of the Flood Trail passes through the Staple Bend Tunnel, which was America's first railroad tunnel. The Ghost Town Trail will soon be country's second looped rail-trail, Rager said – and the Stonycreek River has the longest continuous set of Class III-IV rapids in the eastern United States.
'The downhill mountain biking trails on the Inclined Plane hillside will become a bigger draw once the Inclined Plane reopens because nobody else has trails that are connected to a transportation system like the Incline, which is also the steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world,' Rager said.
In addition, Rock Run Recreation ATV park is considered one of the premier ATV recreation parks in the eastern United States, she said, and Prince Gallitzin State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania.
'We have a lot to capitalize on,' Rager said.
'Our area's contributions to America's story are beautifully told in our national parks, historic sites and museums, which are a big draw for the history and heritage traveler.'
The economic impact report also shows Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland counties – marketed together as one Laurel Highlands region – has reached a tourism milestone.
Visitor spending grew by 3% in the Laurel Highlands region in 2023, exceeding $2 billion – a record high, said Eric Knopsnyder, GO Laurel Highlands public relations director.
The 2023 visitor spending in the Laurel Highlands surpasses even pre-pandemic spending of $1.9 billion in 2019.
'The world in general has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and that includes travel,' he said. 'People have found outdoor spaces to their liking and the Laurel Highlands has so many wonderful outdoor spaces, but it's also culture, arts and unique lodging.
'We are seeing more people taking advantage of that.'
Russ O'Reilly is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @RussellOReilly.
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