Bucks County tourism officials are hoping the papal visit will boost usually-stagnant September numbers.
After a summer where local hotels and attractions reported more visitors than in years past, Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia is expected to have a positive effect for Bucks County. Throughout the region, the papal visit could bring in as much as $400 million in economic impact.
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The potential boost comes during a month where tourism in the Philadelphia region usually slows down.
Hotels in Bucks County are between 90 and 95 percent booked for the papal weekend. From Bristol Township to Quakertown, visitors for the visit have booked in local hotels. So far, groups from the Argentina, Louisiana, Mexico, the mid-west and Rhode Island have booked rooms in the area.
Visit Bucks County Vice President Paul Bencivengo said Catholic tourism sites like National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel in Bensalem, which is located just off I-95, and Our Lady of Czestochowa in New Britain are expected to draw in additional visitors during the weekend.
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In advance of Pope Francis’ visit, Visit Bucks County officials met with hotel leaders and staff from Philadelphia’s tourism agency to work up their plan.
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“The microsite features information on how to get to the city for the festivities, how to get around Bucks County, Bucks County itineraries featuring shrines and other items of interest for visitors, where to dine and more,” Visit Bucks County Communications Manager Jessica Lawlor said. She added that a subsite for the two shrines in Bucks County was created.
The Pope spoke of Saint Katharine Drexel in his homily. Lucky to have this treasure of a shrine in our backyard. #BucksCounty #PopeinPhilly
— Visit Bucks County (@VisitBucksPA) September 26, 2015
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A Google AdWords campaign and full-page ad in Philadelphia’s official visitors’ guide were used to direct those searching for pope-related information to Visit Bucks County, Lawlor said.
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Bencivengo told LevittownNow.com Visit Bucks County was able to secure video placement ads on the channel that plays in city hotel rooms. The short video will showcase Bucks County’s various tourism offerings.
“While people might not come to Bucks County this week, we hope they know about us and return,” he said.
