The tourism industry, like most other industries in Central Pennsylvania, has suffered in the recession’s icy grip. But as the thaw toward recovery continues, a new threat has emerged: cuts in state tourism funding.
In preparing his final fiscal budget proposal, Gov. Ed Rendell is calling for state tourism promotion funding cuts to a level that’s 65 percent lower than 2008-09.

The tourism industry ranks second in the commonwealth, and Pennsylvania is the fourth-most visited state in the country, according to state industry tourism representatives. The industry generates more than $10 billion in wages and benefits each year and benefits 400,000 employees.

To say it’s not a valuable component of our economy would be a mistake.

There’s no doubt that in tough economic times, everyone must make sacrifices. PA Tourism, which comprises 49 tourism promotion agencies representing all 67 counties of the commonwealth, is asking the governor to restore tourism funding to $24 million for the next fiscal year. The number represents a 20 percent reduction from 2008-09 but is considerably higher than the $11.25 million on Rendell’s drawing board.

The group’s request might seem excessive, especially considering the scores of critical programs vying for the same state dollars. But consider this: Every dollar pumped into tourism yields at least $25 in tax revenue from visitor spending, according to PA Tourism, and that yield helps pay for education and social programs.

State funding helps tourism officials promote and market the region and develop and improve venues. Therefore, it’s important to continue attracting visitors to this region and to the venues among the Dutch Country Roads’ lifeblood — Hersheypark, Lancaster’s Sight & Sound Theatres and Dutch Wonderland, minor league ballparks, wineries, outdoor recreational facilities, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and many of the smaller attractions scattered between Lebanon and Gettysburg and Lancaster and western Cumberland County.

As the budget negotiations continue, we encourage our legislators to think hard about changing state pensions, benefits and retirement ages to create a more affordable government rather than skinning the backs of industries — such as tourism — that ultimately fund important programs.

Local tourism officials gathered Tuesday at Lakemont Park as part of a Travel Rally Day.

The event, held in conjunction with the 27th annual National Travel and Tourism Week, was designed to create an appreciation for travel and tourism’s impact on the economy and the workers whose jobs depend on travel.

Hosted by the Alleghenies Tourism Council, the local rally, which organizers hope will be an annual event, was one of numerous held nationwide.

Tourism is the second-largest industry in Pennsylvania behind agriculture but has recently been hit with funding cuts.

For example, Pennsylvania tourism funding fell from $32 million in 2009 to $14.2 million in the 2010 budget, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

“Since 2008, Pennsylvania’s tourism funding has been reduced by 65 percent. That is a false solution to the budget shortfall. Tourism means business in Pennsylvania,” said Rob Fulton, PACVB president. “In 2007, travelers spent $28 billion in Pennsylvania, that means dollars coming into our economy.”

Those involved with tourism locally said tourism funding needs to be increased, not decreased.

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LOGAN TOWNSHIP, BLAIR COUNTY - Tuesday was not the best opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors of Pennsylvania, but some lawmakers and folks in our area want to make sure tourism stays a state priority.

Local politicians, business leaders and tourism groups held an outside rally because of National Travel Rally Day.  Since tourism is the second leading industry in Pennsylvania, folks had a lot to say about it.

When you think of local tourist attractions, do you ever think barbecue?

“People think barbecue is more or less slapping some sauce on something, but there is a lot more to it, and we’re hoping to get the word out,” Brian Nevel of Huntingdon County said.

Nevel makes custom grills out of Huntingdon County.  He uses local fairs, festivals and tourist attractions to promote the business, but the economy is making those events take a hit.

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BRADFORD - Some of the people who work closest with the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative vouched Thursday for the positive benefit the program has had on the 12-county tourism region it serves.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley said more Growing Greener money is needed to keep improvements coming.

The state already has invested $126 million the last 8 years to improve park and forest infrastructure through the Growing Greener II program.

An additional $22 million has benefited recreation through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, according to Quigley.

A wide scope of amenities have flourished through the two programs, including campsites, trails, parks, rivers and other offerings enjoyed by visitors.

“Growing Greener II expires at the end of this year and there’s no replacement,” Quigley said. “We need a Growing Greener III.”

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Members of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau staff recently traveled to Harrisburg to impress upon state officials the importance of the tourism industry in this region.

Marketing manager Kristin Ecker, and Christina Dorko, marketing and public relations assistant, represented the bureau at a rally and expo in Harrisburg on Thursday to support Pennsylvania Tourism Day, an event held every spring.

“It was to stress the importance and raise awareness of tourism and the economic impact it has on the state,” said Ecker.

“It’s a great way to get everyone excited and to reinforce why tourism is important to the economy of Pennsylvania,” said Dorko.

The rally included speakers who talked about the broad impact of tourism on the economy.

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From The Hanover Evening Sun

Legislators are considering taxes on hotel rooms and rental cars as ways for deep cuts to the state’s tourism coffers, said state Rep. Dan Moul, R-Conewago Twp.

Since 2008, the tourism budget has been cut 65 percent from about $32 million and this year’s budget proposal calls for $11.24 million to be allocated for the industry’s promotion, marketing and product development.

And for the tourism-dependent Adams County economy, such large cutbacks may have even larger effects.

“We’ve already lost over $300,000 in three years,” said Norris Flowers, the director of the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “That’s in cash grants and that’s money we use for marketing and to promote Adams County tourism.”

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Tourism professionals from across the state rallied in Harrisburg this morning in support of budgeting $24 million for tourism promotion for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposed budget for 2010-11 earmarks only $11.25 million, an amount that would endanger tourism jobs in Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

Tourism generates $18 billion in wages and benefits for more than 400,000 tourism employees, according to the statement. One dollar in state tourism promotion funding has a return on investment of at least $25 in state and local tax revenues as a result of visitor spending, the statement said.

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“The busy time of year for leisure travel and tourism is fast-approaching, but don’t look for Ohio to have as many media ads luring potential travelers as other states in the region.

The Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism’s annual budget is the smallest of any state in the region, often by a wide margin. . . .

One of the factors that can be used to persuade Gov. Ted Strickland and state legislators to increase the tourism budget is the return-on-investment seen by the industry in Ohio.”

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