Economic impact of Gettysburg tourism on the rise

Hotel occupancy up despite high gas prices

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 7/28/2008

In a summer when all eyes are on the economy and high gasoline prices, travel destinations across the country are suffering the effects of low consumer confidence with reduced visitation and decreased spending.

Gettysburg, however, has increased visitation this year with the help of a new museum, a series of large events and targeted marketing to the Mid-Atlantic region. While spending habits might be changing, in May and June, hotel occupancy in Gettysburg increased 11 percent over 2007, according to Smith Travel Research. Hotel occupancy in 2008 is up nearly 13 percent over the previous year.

The opening of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center in April kicked off an early travel season for tens of thousands of visitors. The museum gave even the most frequent visitors a reason to come back to Gettysburg and see the 139,000-square-foot facility. Since then, the museum has attracted visitors from all over the world.

Many of Gettysburg�s annual events helped boost visitation throughout the early summer.

The Gettysburg Festival alone brought nearly 16,000 people to the Gettysburg and Adams County area for 10 days of art, music, dance and entertainment in its inaugural year. The 145^th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg Re-enactment brought close to 45,000 visitors and re-enactors for three days of living history. And Gettysburg Bike Week attracted more than 25,000 to this year�s event.

Gettysburg and Adams County also attracted an increased number of meetings and conferences this year.

In an effort to maintain visitation in a lackluster economy during the last couple months of summer, the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau is stepping up its marketing and advertising spending in key areas of the Mid-Atlantic Region � Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

It is estimated that tourism will pump more than $340 million in the Adams County economy this year.