CCEDC indicators PA Tourism Coalition petition – Instances Information On-line

Posted on March 22, 2021 at 12:35 pm

The board of directors and employees of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. have joined the growing number of partners who have signed the PA Tourism Coalition’s petition to support the proposed public-private partnership that aims to incorporate nationwide tourism marketing efforts aimed at boosting the Pennsylvania tourism industry.

“Tourism is critical to Pennsylvania’s economic well-being. The 208 million guests visiting the Commonwealth annually generate $ 4.6 billion in state and local tax revenue and support more than 515,000 jobs across Pennsylvania. However, budget cuts in government tourism marketing programs, aggressive marketing campaigns from other countries and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on tourism in the state, ”the petition said.

According to Alice Wanamaker, managing director of the CCEDC, the CCEDC supports the creation of a public-private partnership.

“We believe the partnership will have a positive impact on our economy and create more jobs as it strengthens Pennsylvania’s position as a major tourism destination.”

State Representative Karen Boback is reintroducing Acts HB 2099 and 2098 to establish an independent Pennsylvania Tourism Commission as the state’s official tourism marketing agency.

Given the growing importance of tourist dollars in local economies across the state, the CCEDC agrees that it is time for Pennsylvania to move tourism marketing responsibility to a public-private partnership comprised of tourism marketing professionals and industry stakeholders composed.

It is important that heads of state and tourism industry professionals come together to help grow the industry and sustain the hundreds of thousands of livelihoods that tourism supports across Pennsylvania.

Chris Barrett, President and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, welcomes the support from the CCEDC.

“The PMVB is excited to be part of the PA Tourism Coalition, which is dedicated to exploring the creation of a private, public partnership to promote tourism in Pennsylvania. We are grateful for the support of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development teams on this critical project. You are an incredible partner to the tourism community, ”said Barrett.

The CCEDC encourages all branches of industry, organizations and municipalities to sign the petition https://www.poconomountains.com/pa-tourism-coalition/sign-up. For more information and a list of signatories, see https://www.poconomountains.com/pa-tourism-coalition.