PA Tourism: Economic Impact, Budget (FY16-17), Marketing, Branding, Partnerships and Heritage Areas

JOINT HEARING

Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee

AND House Tourism & Recreational Development

Wednesday, March 16, 2016
9 a.m.
Hearing Room 1, North Office Building


Listen

Purpose & Format

Purpose: The focus of this joint hearing on PA Tourism is as follows:

  • {Impact} Economic impact of PA Tourism and the related report titled, “Comprehensive Analysis of Pennsylvania’s Tourism Budget” (Dec. 2015) by Tourism Economics.
    • The ideal and/or minimum level of state tourism funding and how such would be utilized to effectively market and promote PA tourism and travel.
    • Impact of Local Hotel Room Taxes.
  • {Budget (FY 16-17)} – An overview and rationale of the proposed Budget (FY 16-17) for PA tourism.
  • {PA Branding} Rational and efforts related to establishing a PA brand.
  • {Update} PA Tourism Partnership (PTP) Steering Committee and the transition to the Pennsylvania Travel and Tourism Partnership (per Act 189 of 2002).
  • {Overview} Heritage Areas Program and its impact on PA tourism [under Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)].

Format: This hearing will conducted via panel format with all testifiers sitting together and available for questions following each subject section.

Agenda

[9:00 A.M.] – Introductory Remarks – By Committee Chairs

[9:05 A.M.]

  • Economic Impact of PA Tourism – “Comprehensive Analysis of Pennsylvania’s Tourism Budget” (Dec. 2015) by Tourism Economics – State Tourism Funding – Impact of Local Hotel Room Taxes
    • John Longstreet, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA)
    • Matthew [Matt] Price, Chairman, Pennsylvania Association of Travel and Tourism (PATT) & Executive Director, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau
    • Adam Sacks, President (founder), Tourism Economics | Attachment

[9:45 A.M.]

  • PA Tourism Proposed Budget (FY 16-17) – PA Branding – PTP Steering Committee & the transition to the PA Travel and Tourism Partnership (per Act 189 of 2002)
    • Carrie Lepore, Deputy Secretary for Marketing Tourism and Film, Department of Community, Economic and Recreational Development (DCED)
    • John Longstreet, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA)
    • Matthew [Matt] Price, Chairman, Pennsylvania Association of Travel and Tourism (PATT) & Executive Director, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau

[10:25 A.M.]

  • Heritage Areas Program and its impact on PA tourism
    • Jane Sheffield, President, Heritage PA & Executive Director, Allegheny Ridge Corporation

{Handouts}