Latest news with #GOLaurelHighlands
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'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.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Meyersdale resident places first in 2024 'Leap In' State Park and Forest Photo Contest
CAMP Hill ― Wendy Hampe, a resident of Meyersdale, won a first-place prize in the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) 2024 'Leap In' Photo Contest. Hampe won in the People's Choice 'Awe' category with her photo taken in Forbes State Forest. It was one of more than 300 photo submissions, of which there were top 20 winners. 'The annual photo contest not only demonstrates the beauty and history of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests, it demonstrates peoples' connections to these special places,' said Marci Mowery, foundation president. 'We applaud the photographers for capturing the images, and we applaud the leaders who had the foresight to conserve these special places for today and generations to come.' More: GO Laurel Highlandsrecognizes winners of 20th annual photo contest Hampe said in a press release that Forbes State Forest is one of her favorite places to go in the fall. "I love seeing the golden, graceful ferns all aglow as the sunlight peeps in through the trees,' she said. 'As my husband and I were driving down the road, I was searching for the prettiest ferns. When we came upon this area, I told my husband to stop. I took a few shots, and this was my favorite!' When she was asked about her favorite part, Hampe said in the release, 'The Forbes State Forest at the Mount Davis area has heightened weather conditions being our highest point. Each season has something special that makes it a joy to photograph. It also has a few lookouts that offer awesome views!' The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest by coordinating volunteers, activities and donations through its 45 chapters. The mission is to inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests. The award winners' photographs will hang in the East Wing Rotunda in the state Capitol in April. The submissions are on PPFF's Facebook page at More: GO Laurel Highlands contest brings recognition to Berlin woman, other area photographers Latrobe resident Sabine Panzer won runner-up in the People's Choice 'Awe' category with her photo taken at Kooser State Park. 'I love wildlife photography,' she said. Panzer said she's been enjoying more time outdoors and practicing the hobby since her children have grown. When someone posted in a local photography group that they had seen an otter at Kooser State Park, she couldn't resist heading over with her camera. And, the otter gave her some rewarding shots for sitting in the freezing cold. 'I took hundreds of pictures of him coming up out of the water, climbing up on the ice, fishing, eating the fish, etc, and stayed until it got too dark for the camera to get any more good pictures,' she said of her experience in the press release. 'Kooser is one of my favorite local state parks in the winter only living about 40 minutes from there. It is one of the quieter parks with less people, and it is a good park to use snowshoes when the conditions are right,' Panzer said. 'We love the outdoors, we hike, bike, and kayak locally and all over the state and country. There are many beautiful trails and lakes to do that. We always find something to do in the local state parks and forests. We have visited more than half of the state parks in PA, and I will fill the PA State Park and Forest Passport book eventually.' More: ATV trail proposed to go through Somerset County Also for the contest, Holly April Harris, of Coal Center, won Judge's Choice in the 'Beyond the Edge' category for her photo taken at Ohiopyle State Park. 'It just so happened that there were four kayakers taking turns going over the big falls when I got there, so I decided to see if I could get some good shots of them to share the experience with others. I stood there talking with the park ranger watching them,' she said in the press release. 'The kayakers were very skilled and a lot of fun to watch. I'd never seen anybody going over the falls before and it was a neat experience.' Harris said she loves the state park. 'What is not to love about Ohiopyle? It has everything – waterfalls, wildlife, scenic views, trails, rare wildflowers, the bike trail, the river… I like nature and taking photos and every portion of the park is a different opportunity to see something cool and beautiful. I spend as much time as I can in our state parks and forests – the beauty, peace and magic of nature is well preserved in our beautiful parks and forests.' The 2025 Photo Contest is now open to adults and youth. This year's theme focuses on Pennsylvanians' love of trails. Categories for this year include Beyond the Trail, Comradery on the Trail, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tales from the Trail, Texture of the Trail, and Young Photographers (12-17). For information on categories, rules, and submitting your photos, visit the website at Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 38 years, covering school boards, borough councils, sports and new stories. Contact the Daily American reporters at news@ This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Three from county place in State Park and Forest Photo Contest
