HARRISBURG PA – The 3-day Memorial Day weekend marks summer’s unofficial start. Pennsylvania and its Welcome Centers will launch a new tourism promotion campaign as the observance gets under way.
National Travel and Tourism Week began Sunday (May 19, 2024), and continues through Saturday (May 25). It ends just as Pennsylvanians prepare to enjoy the Memorial Day holiday and the unofficial start of summer, and as the state launches its new tourism branding slogan.
The promotional campaign describes the Commonwealth as the home of “The Great American Getaway.” It’s intended to further expand tourism’s role as one of the largest industries in Pennsylvania, generating more than $76 billion a year and supporting more than 486,000 jobs.
Opening activities of the branding initiative involve providing entertaining travel programs at the state’s Welcome Centers.
The centers are found at 14 different “border locations,” often near the lines dividing Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Inside each, tourism partners and counties will promote their businesses with in-person displays, giveaways, and information tables.
Partners include state and national parks and museums, as well as privately-owned Pennsylvania tourism attractions. The centers may be the places where out-of-staters form favorable first impressions of the Commonwealth, organizers believe
All provide resources for travelers in the state. Many also offer free tourism services, such as the ability to make lodging and restaurant reservations.
During 2023, Keystone Welcome Centers served a total of 2.9 million customers, and placed more than 9,000 reservations for nearly 10,000 customers. They also contributed nearly $1.6 million in tourism revenue, the state said.
Centers are open seven days a week, including most holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Their trained staffs are “ready to provide information about regional attractions, and travel and accommodation assistance,” the state added.
Need Pennsylvania travel and tourism information in a hurry? See the state’s tourism website, or call 1-800-VISIT-PA (847-4872).
Video supplied by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office YouTube channel
PennDOT Centers Will Be Closed for Three Days
HARRISBURG PA – Pennsylvania driver license and photo centers – including those in Pottstown, Harleysville, King of Prussia, Norristown, and Shillington – will be closed Saturday through Monday (May 25-27, 2024) to observe the Memorial Day holiday, the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported.
Customers can still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, from PennDOT online. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; and changes of address. Also available are driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; the ability to pay restoration fees; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and REAL ID advance verification.
Driver’s license exams also can be scheduled.
Those who plan to visit a PennDOT center before the holiday period should call ahead for hours of operation, the agency suggested.
Photo by Travels With The Post
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