Bucks County Tourism Industry Continues To Grow

The tourism industry in Bucks County has grown since last year.

At the Visit Bucks County annual meeting that was held recently, officials from the tourism and convention bureau proudly announced increases in hotel occupancy and revenues.

Since last year, hotel occupancy is up 4.3% and hotel revenues are up 5.4%. Overall, tourism was responsible for $895.3 million in local economic impact and $122 million in local and state taxes. Jobs supported by tourism were by from 11,600 last year to 11,670 this year.

Visit Bucks County President Jerry Leping said the group will award tourism grants in December. Since the grant program started, over $2 million has been provided to support tourism efforts across Bucks County.

Paul Bencivengo, vice president of Visit Bucks County, said staff is focusing more on website content and adding more “visuals and eye candy.”

He said sponsored posts on Facebook and Twitter are getting positive reactions from those on social media.

“Our fall posts always go gang busters,” Bencivengo said, as a photo of the Delaware Canal with autumn colors was displayed on a screen behind him.

Bencivengo also touted a new online video marketing series that is being put together by Visit Bucks County. The short documentaries about Bucks County destinations will be rolled out over the next several months.

Visit Bucks County isn’t just focusing on online marketing, there have been outdoor advertising, campaigns, 100,000 printed visitor guides, 30,000 guests to the three visitors center and about 3,000 phone calls.

Visit Bucks County has targeted the New York City metro area and that is where the group spends a large amount of their marketing money, Bencivengo said.

James Michener Museum Director Lisa Tremper Hanover believes the marketing is working. With the help of marketing efforts from Visit Bucks County, the Doylestown museum’s Grace Kelly exhibit drew more than 83,000 people and was considered a success.

While the Michener Museum, Sesame Place and New Hope all are popular destinations, Bucks County is drawing more people for smaller attractions like Heritage Conservancy’s Barn Voyage tour. The event was held for the first time this year and featured a tour of Bucks County barns. Visit Bucks County is also working with Visit Philadelphia on a marketing campaign to bring more tourist to Bristol Borough, Doylestown and New Hope.

Conferences and sporting events are also a big focus of Visit Bucks County’s efforts. Officials touted nabbing the U.S. Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs National Championship, which will be held in Bensalem next year.

Visit Bucks County officials also spoke of the upcoming awarding of grants to help local tourism destinations. The grants will be doled out late this fall.

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