Gettysburg, PA Tourism Works for Adams County
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  Gettysburg, PA Tourism Works for Adams County
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​Travel is the Lifeblood of Adams County’s Economy

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As we continue to celebrate why Travel Matters during National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), it’s easy to think of why the tourism industry is the lifeline of Adams County’s economy.
 
Whether it’s traditional visitor experiences or ancillary support business, Adams County’s tourism industry impacts in a positive economic way. Travelers visit Gettysburg to not only learn about the history, but to experience its agriculture, craft beverage industry, culinary, special events and recreational attractions. In addition, corporate and association groups host day and multi-day conferences and events, adding to the impact of our leisure market.
 
According to 2017 data compiled by Tourism Economics on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, visitors in Adams County spend more than $725 million annually, contributing more than $130 million in federal, state and local taxes. This is up from $691 million dollars spent in 2016. Visitors spend their dollars at local businesses including restaurants, lodging, events and attractions and retail shops. In 2017, visitors spent the following in each segment:
 
  • $97.6 million in lodging
  • $130.1 million in retail shopping
  • $148.4 million in food and beverage
  • $174.6 million in recreation
  • $175.2 million in transportation
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As you can see, food and beverage is the third highest revenue maker in Adams County. We continue to see a demand for more culinary and craft beverage experiences in the area. Destination Gettysburg’s Adams County Pour Tour™ is evidence of this. The Pour Tour was so successful in its first year that six new beverage makers recently joined. But we’re not only proud that six new stops have joined, we’re thrilled that two of the stops (Mount Hope Winery and J&P Winery) are based outside of Adams County. These wineries saw that more visitors are coming to Gettysburg to experience the winery and craft beverage scene so they decided to open tasting rooms downtown.
 
This is just further evidence that shows the impact tourism has. It’s a common myth that tourism marketing promotes only tourism, but we continue to see the halo effect of lifting not only visitorship but driving business development. Tourism impacts all businesses. Over the years we’ve seen new hotels being built, restaurants, agritourism experiences, and so much more.
 
Travel and tourism continue to be an integral part of the economy not only in Adams County, but in the whole state. Traveler spending in Pennsylvania injects $43.3 billion into the commonwealth’s economy. 
 
We as a community need to be ambassadors for our town and be welcoming for any tourists looking to experience our attractions and businesses because without our visitors, many of our businesses wouldn’t exist. 

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