Travel as an economic driver in Pennsylvania
Travel and tourism supported $4.1 billion of state and local taxes in 2013.
The travel and tourism sector is critically important to Pennsylvania’s economy and its residents. Based on Tourism Economics' recent research, Pennsylvania visitors generated the following economic impacts in 2013:
Pennsylvania travel impacts
$39.2 billion of traveler spending; 319,661 direct travel economy jobs; and, secondary impacts that, together with direct impacts, support a total 478,888 jobs (6.5% of all jobs in the state), $18.8 billion of labor income, and $4.1 billion in state and local taxes. Travel and tourism impacts in Pennsylvania have increased substantially since 2009, with visitor spending up 26.0% in nominal dollars, and total employment impacts up 10.6%. If state tourism marketing had not been cut, growth would have been even stronger. Travel and tourism makes important contributions to the state economy. Pennsylvania’s state and local governments would have to tax each PA household an additional $835 per year to replace the taxes generated by travel and tourism. On average, the spending of every 418 travelers to and/or within PA supports one PA job. One out of every 15.3 employees in Pennsylvania is supported by travel and tourism (6.5%). | Tourism Economics
Change '09 to '13
2009
2013
Visitor spending (billions)
$31.1
$39.2
26.0%
GDP (billions)
$13.5
$16.4
21.1%
283,048
319,661
12.9%
$8.6
$10.6
23.0%
Direct travel and tourism economy impacts
Employment Labor income (billions) Total travel economy impacts (including direct and secondary) GDP (billions) Employment Labor income (billions)
$25.8
$30.9
20.1%
432,936
478,888
10.6%
$15.8
$18.8
19.0%
$3.4
$4.1
21.8%
3.5
4.2
18.8%
$6.9
$8.3
20.3%
Total traveler-generated taxes (in billions) State and local taxes Federal taxes Total fiscal impacts Source: Tourism Economics
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