Tourism Toolkit—Resources for You

Key Messages

Despite having one of the largest tourism economies, Pennsylvania’s tourism marketing budget is substantially underfunded vs. our competitors, outspent 5:1 by New York, 3:1 by Virginia and 2.5:1 by Washington D.C.

A 2015 PRLA study revealed the size of the impact from cuts to the state tourism marketing budget between 2009 and 2014. The study showed that the cuts caused Pennsylvania to lose more than 37 million visitors, $7.7 billion in visitor spending, $3.2 billion in labor income and almost $450 million in state taxes; every dollar “saved” on marketing has cost the state $3.60 in state tax revenue.

A robust tourism marketing budget is not an expense; it’s an investment in a vital industry that generates revenue to the General Fund and funds transportation infrastructure, education, and public safety programs.

Social Media Content

Branded Hastag/Useful handles

​Use #PANeedsTourism to join the conversation and spread the word that Pennsylvania needs an increased tourism marketing budget.

@VisitPA — Pennsylvania Tourism Office (consumer facing)
@PAtourismPR — Pennsylvania Tourism Office (media facing)
@PADCEDnews — PA Department of Community & Economic Development

Sample Messages

TWITTER

• ​Tourism is a $40B industry in PA and funds essential services.  #PANeedsTourism
• Since 2010 tourism budget cuts, every $ “saved” cost PA $3.60 in state taxes. Close the OTC Loophole #PANeedsTourism
• PA tourism is one of our most impactful industries — but grossly underfunded. Close the OTC loophole. #PANeedsTourism

FACEBOOK/LINKEDIN

• Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s largest tourism economies, injecting approximately $40 billion into our economy each year and funding transportation infrastructure, education, and public safety programs. But Pennsylvania’s marketing budget is substantially underfunded. Contact your local legislator and ask them to support closing the online travel company loophole. #PANeedsTourism
• Over the past six years, cuts to Pennsylvania’s tourism marketing budget have caused us to lose more than 37 million visitors, $7.7 billion in visitor spending, $3.2 billion in labor income and almost $450 million in state taxes. Every dollar “saved” on marketing has cost the state $3.60 in state tax revenue. Contact your local legislator and ask them to support closing the online travel company loophole. #PANeedsTourism
• Pennsylvania’s tourism industry supports close to 500,000 jobs, and every dollar invested in tourism gains $3.43 in tax revenue. But PA’s marketing budget is substantially underfunded. Contact your local legislator and ask them to support closing the online travel company loophole. #PANeedsTourism