Celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week: Tourism’s Role in Powering Local Communities
National Travel & Tourism Week (May 4-10) celebrates the power that travel has in fueling economies, strengthening communities, and connecting people to new places and to each other. U.S. Travel Association reports that tourism’s $2.9 trillion in national economic output strengthens every sector of the economy, from restaurants and retail to tech, manufacturing and agriculture.
The Hershey Harrisburg Region, home to PA’s beautiful state capital, Hershey’s iconic attractions, historic landmarks, inviting outdoor spaces, versatile venues, and a unique arts, culture, and culinary landscape, is a destination filled with immersive experiences that drive local tourism.
When we think of tourism in Dauphin County, the sound of roaring coasters, the bright lights over FNB Field, the sweet smell of chocolate, or the tunes of a riverfront concert may come to mind. But tourism’s ripple effect goes beyond ticket sales, tours, and hotel stays. It’s an ecosystem of small businesses, community partnerships and industry leaders working together to fuel entrepreneurship, spark innovation and create meaningful career opportunities.
In Dauphin County, tourism:
• Generates $4.1 billion in economic impact
• Supports more than 27,000 jobs
• Generates $276.3 million in state and local taxes
(Source: Tourism Economics® report for Visit PA)
As Dauphin County’s official Destination Marketing Organization, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) is dedicated to inspiring travel to our region. To serve our mission of driving economic impact through tourism, VHH, Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority (our dedicated sports initiative), and ExploreHBG (our capital city-focused initiative), share the story of our region with leisure, business, and sports and special events travelers who are seeking their next getaway, tour, or host location. Year-round:
- VHH sales professionals meet with local, national, and international sports events rights holders, event planners and tour operators to highlight the Hershey Harrisburg Region as an elite host destination for any event.
- Sales efforts led to more than 150,000 room nights booked in FY24-25.
- VHH marketing and communications efforts reach target markets with multi-media advertising campaigns and destination stories showcasing the character (and characters!) in our community.
- FY24-25 campaign efforts delivered more than 184 million impressions to potential visitors from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C..
- VHH partnership efforts bring stakeholders together to lean into the power of shared goals and empower small businesses to maximize their reach through collaborative outreach and assistance programs.
- More than 175 tourism-related businesses are official VHH Partners.
- Experience Development efforts tap into shared interests to create curated experiences for unique audiences.
- More than 10,000 guests engage with free interactive mobile experiences like The Hershey Harrisburg Brew Barons Beer Trail, Harrisburg Arts District and the Chocolate & More Sweet Treat Trail.
- Annually, more than 30,000 people use the Adventure Trail resource to plan outdoor adventures like hiking, biking and kayaking.
- Community engagement and sponsorship efforts uplift local events that showcase diversity, creativity, and competitive spirit across the region.
- The strength of local events plays an important role in visitor perception, local pride, and community wellness.
While our team amplifies our region’s story, there would be no story to tell without the work of countless people who touch the travel & hospitality industry every day. Please join us in extending an extra smile of appreciation every chef and line cook, front desk clerk, ride operator, musician, artist, museum docent, trail manager, bartender, waitstaff, greeter, ticket seller, housekeeping attendant, small business owner, tradesperson, laborer, mechanical expert, event manager, gardener, security personnel, tourism asset leadership and more whose efforts create memorable guest experiences.
I’m immensely proud to lead a team of tourism ambassadors at Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, to work alongside an endless list of impassioned Partners in tourism at hotels, venues, attractions, and events and to collaborate with our dedicated elected leaders and stakeholders to maximize the impact of tourism in Dauphin County.
For National Travel & Tourism Week and beyond, I invite you to celebrate the power of welcoming millions of guests into our lives and communities every year. Whether you’re exploring a local museum, supporting a neighborhood restaurant, enjoying a sweet treat or sharing a hidden gem, you’re helping to create growth and building a stronger, more vibrant destination.
Sharon S. Myers
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg President & CEO
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Media Contact
Allison Rohrbaugh |Director of Communications & Content
allison@hersheyharrisburg.org |717-231-2980
ABOUT VISIT HERSHEY & HARRISBURG
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) is the official non-profit 501c6 partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization serving Dauphin County. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive sales, marketing, and communication programs to compete for leisure, business, group, and sporting event travel market segments among leading and national destinations. VHH seeks to generate economic growth and stability through the marketing and promotion of travel to the Hershey Harrisburg region and to coalesce, develop, and expand its hospitality industry, products, and workforce.
