Annual Report Shows Continued Upward Trend for Dauphin County’s Tourism Industry
(Harrisburg, PA | September 28, 2025) – A new report from Pennsylvania Tourism Office shows the tourism industry in Dauphin County generated $4.37 billion in total economic impact, supported 27,570 jobs, and contributed $288.7 million in state and local taxes in 2024. Direct visitor spend in Dauphin County for 2024 was $2.73 billion, up 6.64% from 2023.
The annual Economic Impact of Travel Report for Pennsylvania is produced for the Commonwealth and its 67 counties by Tourism Economics.
“Tourism’s strength in the Hershey Harrisburg Region is driven by the appeal of our family-friendly attractions and experiences, our convenient location from regional drive markets, the versatility of special events, sports, and meetings venues, and the dedication of countless tourism and hospitality professionals, small business owners, and volunteers who work tirelessly for our guests every day,” said VHH President & CEO Sharon S. Myers. “Tourism directly affects the overall wellness of local residents and our communities,” Myers continued.
Economic Impact in Pennsylvania
In 2024, Pennsylvania’s overall tourism industry generated $83.9 billion in total economic impact, supported 514,261 jobs, and contributed $5 billion in state and local taxes. Pennsylvania welcomed 201.6 million visitors.
Economic Impact in Perry County
In Perry County, tourism generated $82.9 million in total economic impact, supported 770 jobs, and contributed $4.4 million in state & local taxes.
Direct Visitor Spend (Top 5 Pennsylvania Counties)
Allegheny County: $6.97 Billion
Philadelphia County: $6.54 Billion
Monroe County: $2.80 Billion
Dauphin County: $2.73 Billion
Lancaster County: $2.72 Billion
State & Local Taxes Generated (Top 5 Pennsylvania Counties)
Philadelphia County: $758.8 Million
Allegheny County: $380.5 Million
Dauphin County: $288.7 Million
Monroe County: $259.7 Million
Lancaster County: $252.8 Million
State and local taxes help to fund essential public services, supporting a community’s overall quality of life and alleviating the tax burden to local residents.
Methodology Note: Total Economic Impact includes Direct Impact (purchases made by visitors in retail, lodging, transportation, and dining) + Indirect Impact (goods and services purchased by travel businesses that affect the supply chain) + Induced Impact (employee wages generated by the visitor economy are spent in the local economy.)
View the full Economic Impact Report for Travel and Tourism in Pennsylvania.
ABOUT VISIT HERSHEY & HARRISBURG
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH) is the official non-profit 501c6 partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization serving Dauphin and Perry Counties. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (in conjunction with its dedicated Sports & Events and Capital City divisions - Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority and ExploreHBG,) 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.
