Tourism In Bucks Generated $986 Million In Economic Impact In 2021

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — In 2021, Bucks County welcomed 7.58 million visitors, generating $986 million dollars in economic impact and supporting a total hospitality workforce of more than 25,000 jobs. (source: ESI)

Paul Bencivengo, President & COO of Visit Bucks County, delivered on key economic indicators and the state of the hospitality industry during Visit Bucks County's Annual Meeting.

“Looking back at 2021, data showed a strong recovery of the Bucks County tourism industry,” he said. “As travel restrictions lifted, potential visitors in key markets such as the New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia metros sought experiences and connection through travel again in suburban, drivable destinations,” said Bencivengo.

More than 150 tourism professionals gathered at Visit Bucks County’s (VBC) Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 19 at the Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm.

“The Tourism Office has been around some 60 plus years,” said Sharon Rossi, the chair of Visit Bucks County’s Board of Directors. “We have seen a lot, and this industry has always proven to be resilient. Thank you for always putting the customer first and welcoming visitors to Bucks County.”

In 2022, with a slight increase in room supply, Bucks County hotel occupancy is essentially flat with the average daily hotel room rate up 15 percent year-to-date from 2021. (source: STR)

While hotel occupancy remains flat, requests for Bucks County information continues to remain strong. Over and above clicks and views, Visit Bucks County receives at minimum 50 requests per day, seven days a week, for the printed Destination Guide.

Heather Walter, marketing director of Visit Bucks County, shared marketing initiatives, including three newly produced television commercials as well as the launch of TikTok and additional vlog content on YouTube. VBC’s commercials garnered more than 83 million media impressions in Bucks County’s target markets of New York, Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Lancaster, York and Washington, D.C.

"Our content, marketing and reporting is all starting to grow and evolve to market to new generations of visitors on platforms like TikTok, YouTube and other reel, short and vlog dominated social media spaces where consumers are spending a great deal of time and watching a ton of content,” said Walter.

Since the launch in May 2022, Visit Bucks County’s @VisitBucksPA TikTok channel has already attracted nearly 13,000 followers and garnered more than 5 million video views.

Visit Bucks County also created a new vlog style YouTube playlist, “Visit Bucks County’s Local Tourist,” featuring YouTube host and content creator, Claudia Murtha. The channel features a mix of long form video and YouTube shorts focused on attractions, breweries, creameries and more throughout the County. The videos have already gained more than 2 million views.

Walter also highlighted Visit Bucks County’s latest product development initiative, the Bucks County Wine & Art Trail, a partnership with the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County, aimed at driving new traffic to Bucks County wineries and engaging a new market of artists.

This past summer more than 75 artists created works at the wineries in preparation for the opening of the Bucks County Wine & Art Trail. On October 1, 14 outdoor art reproductions were installed at seven Bucks County vineyards.

Consumers who visit and check-in digitally to three or more vineyards will receive a free set of fine art notecards featuring some of the original works of art painted at the wineries, and they will be entered to win one of the outdoor art reproductions that have been installed at the wineries.

Visit Bucks County’s Annual Meeting concluded with remarks from Visit Bucks County’s Industry Relations & Visitor Services Director, Lisa Paglaiccetti, who shared plans for the future, including the ongoing development of Visit Bucks County’s mobile Visitor Center that canvases the county engaging with consumers at area attractions, festivals and events.

Paglaiccetti introduced guest speaker, Ben Fileccia, senior vice president of strategy and engagement for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA). Fileccia gave an overview of the statewide restaurant and lodging industry and spoke to current trends in the hospitality industry.