Submitted file photos A crowd gathers at Kinzua Rocks the Wake over Labor Day Weekend. Such events have helped Warren County’s gains in tourism spending outpace the rest of the Pennsylvania Wilds region, according to a recently released state report.

Tourism continues to be a growth business in Pennsylvania – and Warren County is no exception.

A new report from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office shows the tourism industry in the Commonwealth generated $83.9 billion in economic impact, supported 514,261 jobs, contributed $5 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 201.6 million visitors in 2024.

The raw numbers only tell part of the story. Overall tourism spending in the Pennsylvania Wilds increased 5.32% from 2023 to 2024. Warren County’s total tourism spending grew by 13.36% from $190.8 million in 2023 to $216.3 million in 2024. That was followed by Tioga County (10.31%) and Jefferson County (9.72%). That trend was born out in all the categories measured in the 2024 2024 Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism report released recently.

In most categories growth in Warren County was more than the Pennsylvania Wilds region as a whole and was typically larger than even counties in the region that grew. Spending on lodging, for example, shrank by .2% in the Pennsylvania Wilds region but grew 7.79% in Warren from $7.7 million to $8.3 million. The next-largest gain was 5.13% in Potter County.

Food and beverage spending by tourists increased 5.07% in the Pennsylvania Wilds region from $461.8 million to $485.2 million – but Warren County’s tourist spending on food and beverages increased 15.22% from $41.4 million in 2023 to $47.7 million in 2024. Recreation spending increased 8.15% in the Pennsylvania Wilds from $384 million to $415.3 million. Warren County’s growth in food and beverage spending by tourists increased 14.33%, second in the region behind Tioga County’s 15.94% increase.

Retail spending increased 3.06% throughout the region, with Warren’s 8.5% growth from $34.1 million to $37 million the highest percentage growth in the region, followed by 8.11% in Jefferson County.

Transportation spending by tourists increased 6.72% year over year, with Warren County’s 15% increase to $82.8 million the highest percentage of growth followed by Tioga County at 11.9% and Jefferson County at 10.28%.

Overall, “Here in Pennsylvania, we have it all — top tier sports and events, award-winning restaurants, incredible hikes and state parks, and the most important historic sites in the country that tell the story of our shared history.

More people deserve the chance to come here and experience the magic of Pennsylvania for themselves,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “72 million people live within a four-hour drive of Pennsylvania ― and once you’re here, you’ll find there’s something for every member of the family. Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway, and my administration is making tourism a top priority to help us grow small businesses, support our communities, and create real opportunity for more Pennsylvanians.”

Statewide, the report states there were 201.6 million visitors to Pennsylvania, an increase of nearly 10 million from 2023. Those visitors spent $49.9 billion, an increase of 4.2% year-over-year with $83.9 billion in total economic impact, an increase of nearly $7 billion from 2023. Overnight visitors increased by 2 percent over the previous year and spending increased by $1.1 billion, with more than 71 million visitors resulting in $30.4 billion in spending. Overnight visitors spent $428 per person, up $9 from 2023; while spending on day trips grew to $19.5 billion.

The international visitor market increased its share to 4.2% of tourism demand in 2024; up from 3.9% in 2023. It’s unlikely the international visitor market will increase again when 2025 statistics are released given the lack of Canadian tourism that has reached both Chautauqua County in New York and Warren County. Log-in books from the Kinzua Point Information Center indicated the number of Canadians has dropped 50% from 2024 and 60% from 2023.

State officials are already looking ahead to 2026, when Pennsylvania will be a key venue of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. With the focus on Pennsylvania in 2026, Shapiro Shapiro is calling for $65 million in his 2025-26 proposed budget to prepare for America’s 250th birthday, including $2.5 million to continue the America250PA program, $15 million in new funding for regional event security, $10 million to promote the 250th celebration and $36.5 million to plan and execute events through the Tourism Promotion Fund.

America250 was part of the recently held America250PA Countdown to 250 Mobile Experiential Unit, a custom-designed educational and entertainment exhibit, was on display at Kinzua Rocks the Wake on Labor Day Weekend. In addition to bringing back Kinzua Rocks the Wake for 2026, local officials are considering a river sojourn associated with the 250th anniversary of American independence that would begin in Warren and ideally include a visit from Shapiro in Warren County. The sojourn would end in Pittsburgh.

“The data showcased in this report indicates that Pennsylvania is outpacing the national average for growth in the tourism sector. The Shapiro Administration continues to recognize the crucial role that tourism plays in Pennsylvania’s economy as we look ahead to an exciting year in 2026,” said Anne Ryan, state deputy secretary for tourism.