Going Places Newsletter - 3.27.2024 | |
Visitor spending reaches $736M | |
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Newly released state economic data for 2022 shows that spending by visitors to Adams County reached $736.3 million - a 14.3-percent increase over the previous year.
Spending in 2022, the report indicated, is 98.1 percent of pre-COVID levels in 2019, when spending by visitors reached $750.7 million, marking a near-full recovery from the pandemic that greatly impacted travel for 14 months.
Additionally, the 2022 state economic report showed that visitors directly contributed $76.2 million in local, state and federal taxes. Among the taxes that visitors pay include sales taxes, fuel taxes, amusement taxes and, for overnight visitors, a lodging tax.
Pre-COVID workforce numbers across the tourism industry, however, remains slower to return. In 2022, according to the state economic report, the number of employees directly connected to tourism was 4,884, short of the 5,392 workers reported for 2019.
This report is conducted by Tourism Economics for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The latest year that data is available is 2022.
Click on the button below for the full report. Adams County is part of the Dutch Country Roads region, which starts on Page 45.
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Event draws record attendance | |
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Nearly 150 business partners, community leaders and elected officials gathered on March 19 at Liberty Mountain Resort for Destination Gettysburg's Annual Meeting.
The event included a look back at 2023; a look into the future of tourism marketing leading up to America's 250th anniversary in 2026; and a keynote presentation by Joe Massaro, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.
The night also included recognition of dozens of businesses who marked milestone anniversaries as partners of Destination Gettysburg, as well as the presentation of the organization's highest honor, the Jim Getty "Spirit of Gettysburg" Award (see below).
A special thanks to all who joined us last week, and special appreciation to Liberty Mountain Resort and its dedicated team for making the event one to remember.
If you weren't able to make it, a full recording of the presentation can be found by clicking the button below.
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'SPIRIT OF GETTYSBURG' AWARD | |
Max Felty wins prestigious honor | |
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Max Felty has been named the 2024 recipient of Destination Gettysburg’s Jim Getty "Spirit of Gettysburg" Award, exemplifying leadership and dedication as a champion of the Adams County tourism industry.
As president of Gettysburg Tours Inc., Max oversees Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours, Gettysburg Group Reservations, the Gettysburg Tour Center, Ghostly Images of Gettysburg, and the Jennie Wade House Museum.
The award was established in 2016 in recognition of Jim Getty, an Abraham Lincoln presenter and well-known ambassador of Gettysburg community who passed away in 2015. The Jim Getty "Spirit of Gettysburg" Award is presented to an individual who has exemplified many of the same qualities of Jim Getty – leadership, dedication, contribution to the community and a true champion of the local tourism industry.
The winner is selected annually by a committee of past award winners.
Click on the button below to see Max's story, presented at Destination Gettysburg's Annual Meeting on March 19.
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'GETT to Know Us' to be held April 12 | |
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Destination Gettysburg is inviting partners across Adams County to join us on Friday, April 12, for an educational session, "GETT to Know Us," that will introduce partners to the staff and the work of the organization.
Partners can meet our team, learn who we are and what we do, followed by a 30-minute social media workshop with our own Ross Spangler, who will talk through latest social media trends, how to make your social media marketing more engaging and what is working best for Destination Gettysburg.
This educational event will be offered in the morning, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; and again in the afternoon from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The event is free but registration is required. Learn more and sign up by clicking on the button below.
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Order 2024 Partner Benefit Cards | |
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Destination Gettysburg's new Partner Benefit Cards are now available to order for pick-up.
This year’s card features over 50 offers, and includes free admission to many attractions and tours, as well as discounted meals, overnight stays, and retail purchases. The card can be used as an added benefit for employees throughout the Adams County tourism community.
The cards are available for your staff, free of charge, but must be ordered by emailing Amy Welsh, Director of Partnership, at amy@destinationgettysburg.com. If you are not currently presenting an offer but wish to do so, please let Amy know, and she will add it to the Partner Benefit Card list.
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New Farmhouse Restaurant invites partners for sneak peek, March 28 | |
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The Farmhouse Restaurant, located in The Barn Resort, is offering partners of Destination Gettysburg an opportunity for a sneak peek before the restaurant's grand opening on April 1.
Partners and their guests have two opportunities, both happening Thursday, March 28: lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Guests for this sneak peek will be asked to take a survey following their meal, and a $5 discount will be applied to bills with the submission of a completed survey.
Lunch prices range from $8.95 for children ages 4-12 to $16.95 for adults; and dinner prices range from $10.95 for children, and $21.95 for adults. Prices do not include tax, beverage or gratuity.
The Barn Resort, located in the former Boyd's Bear Country building, is undergoing construction in phases with the restaurant opening next week. If you have questions about the preview or want to make reservations, email reservations@thebarncellarpa.com.
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Partners sought for Girl Scout Day | |
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Destination Gettysburg is hosting the second annual Gettysburg Girl Scout day in conjunction with the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania on Sept. 28, 2024. Last year, the event attracted over 300 people from six states.
We are now looking for Destination Gettysburg partners who would like to offer discounts to the Girl Scouts and their families for the weekend. If your business is interested in participating or if you have questions about Girl Scout Day, please email Lindsay Methlie, Director of Sales, at lindsay@destinationgettysburg.com.
We ask that all offers be provided by April 15.
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Marketing, Sales and Partnership Report
See how Destination Gettysburg is
working to get its message out to millions of potential travelers from around the world.
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Gluten-Free Tourism:
Offering Dietary Options
With the constant rise in gluten intolerance, more people are demanding gluten-free options when they travel.
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Fresh Boutique
Fresh Boutique is a locally owned women’s clothing boutique in downtown Gettysburg. Customers can browse through three rooms of apparel, jewelry, shoes, boots, bath and body, lingerie, as well as items for men.
Address: 28 Chambersburg Street, Gettysburg
Phone: (717) 253-2144
Contact: Shelley Knouse
Email: shelley@freshboutiquei.com
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What's all the fuss about vertical video? | |
If you’ve leveraged social media video marketing before, then you've probably come across vertical videos before. They’re becoming increasingly popular, but what’s the fuss all about? Should you start recording videos like that? In this article, you’ll find out why you should embrace this aspect ratio and how you can benefit from it. | | | | |
