By Christina Lengyel, Reporter | The Center Square
Republished by Travels With The Post
(The Center Square) – Lawmakers from Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the commonwealth gathered last week in the Capitol to raise support for state tourism efforts, specifically for America250 and other upcoming events.
A coalition of organizations from across the state have asked for $36 million on top of the $64 million proposed in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget. At $100 million, the state would surpass America250 spending planned in Virginia and New Jersey, states also committed to ringing in the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
An upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star game in July could be an early test of the Philadelphia region’s capacity to absorb a global influx of tourists. Then during 2026, beyond the America250 celebrations, the state will play host to the FIFA World Cup, the Professional Golfers’ Association Championship, and the National Football League Draft.
“We have some celebratory events that talk about the history of the country, and we recognize that this is a moment that can really put the commonwealth in a position to be able to benefit economically if we handle 2026 the right way and if we invest in industries the right way,” said Philadelphia City Council member Isaiah Thomas.
The America250 celebration has been a passion for Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, who began trying to galvanize lawmakers in 2018. “I don’t think anyone ever thought it would actually arrive. I think folks thought you could push 2026 back. But here we are, and we have just an opportunity that we might not be able to grasp at ever again,” he says.
Mass Transit Among Major Needs
One major area of need in Philadelphia is the region’s mass transit system, SEPTA. Legislators say infrastructure support will be critical. It’s needed both to host international visitors accustomed to high-functioning transit, and also to move the people of Philadelphia whose work and lives make the city a tourist destination.
“I think it’s also important that we’re looking ahead so that we can not have this year-to-year battle over how much money we’re giving to mass transit … If you look at it, mass transit with greater mass transit, more trains and more buses across the entire state, would actually really help Pennsylvania,” said Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development committee Chair Rep. Mary Jo Daley.
“It would help it with tourism. It would help them with workforce development. It would help in so many ways,” Daley adds.
Daley and others emphasize that mass transit, and the celebration of the nation’s founding, aren’t limited to the Philadelphia region. All 67 counties offer some kind of public transit. All also are conducting different historical and cultural events to mark the occasion.
The Mission: Make 2026 ‘Epic’
“The mission is to make 2026 epic. We’re all working on that,” says Daley’s co-chair, Rep. Lee James. He talked about educational efforts in schools throughout the state, which brought Benjamin Franklin and Miss Pennsylvania to his district in Cranberry PA.
Even with the ball rolling on school outreach and planting liberty trees, several projects hang in the balance of new funding commitments, like a proposed sports museum in Philadelphia. “If we’re not thinking creatively, if we’re not being innovative about what our investment in 2026 looks like, it’s going to be a situation where the window opens and closes, and nothing will change,” Thomas claims.
Asked if travel bans, icy relationships with allies, and the current climate within the United States might deter international visitors, lawmakers were optimistic. “We anticipate tourism being on fire,” adds Thomas. He reports the latest projections expect 700,000 visitors to Philadelphia alone in June and July 2026.
Photo and logo provided by America250
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