Tourism Revenue and Employment Up, PA Says; Bill Explores Training for Lodging Workers

Pennsylvania tourism reportedly grew by billions in revenue during 2024, surpassing the national average. Also, legislation considers training hospitality employees to spot human trafficking.

Report: PA Tourism Attracts More Visitors and Revenue

HARRISBURG PA – Tourism across Pennsylvania grew last year by about $7 billion. It generated $83.9 billion for the state economy in 2024, and employed more than 500,000 workers, its Tourism Office reports.

The statistics are part of the office’s 2024 Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism review. It also indicates Pennsylvania “is outpacing the national average for growth in the tourism sector,” according to department Deputy Secretary Anne Ryan.

The report says:

• More than 201 million people visited Pennsylvania in 2024, an increase of nearly 10 million over 2023;
• Their spending topped $49.9 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent;
• The industry supports 1-in-16 jobs in Pennsylvania, including nearly 133,000 jobs in the food and beverage industry; and
• It accounts for $5 billion in state and local taxes.

Overnight visitors increased by 2 percent over the previous year, the reports says. Overnight visitors spent $428 per person, up $9 from 2023. The state also saw a slight increase last year in international visitors.

October 2024 photo by Travels With The Post

PA Considers Tourism Training to Spot Human Trafficking

HARRISBURG PA – Legislation that would require training for Pennsylvania hospitality workers to spot signs of human trafficking is being considered in the state House of Representatives.

A public hearing on the matter will be conducted Tuesday (Oct. 2, 2025) from 10 a.m. to noon by the House Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee in Essington PA. The committee includes Reps. Mary Jo Daley and Melissa Cerrato of Montgomery County, and Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Jacklyn Rusnock of Berks County.

The proposal would apply to employees of hotels, motels, temporary lodging, and online reservation companies statewide. Bill sponsors say they are considered “some of the most common venues where human trafficking occurs,” particularly involving “young and vulnerable people.”

Earlier this year, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts reported 1,235 human trafficking offenses had been filed in 366 cases across the state between 2020 and 2024.