Visitors to Adams County spent more than $809 million in 2024 — a record number for the destination, according to data provided through a Tourism Economics report.
The Tourism Economics report, released this fall, examined the economic impact of visitors across Pennsylvania. The study reported on direct and total impacts of the visitor economy, such as spending and employment.
Photo courtesy of Destination Gettysburg.
In Adams County, visitors spent $809.2 million in 2024 compared to $786 million in 2023, according to the report. Employment directly supported by visitor spending grew slightly to 5,101 jobs in 2024, up from 5,067 jobs in 2023. While this job growth represents a positive upward trend, the figure still lags behind pre-COVID employment numbers in Adams County. As of 2019, visitor spending supported 5,392 jobs in Adams County.
Those 5,101 jobs generated $178.8 million in labor income, $42.6 million in federal taxes, and $39.6 million in state and local taxes, the report indicates. Visitors to Adams County spent most of their dollars on transportation and recreation, at $208.6 million and $208 million, respectively. Visitors spent $171.2 million on food and beverage, $131.6 million on retail and $89.8 million on lodging.
“Tourism is a powerful driver of Adams County’s economic engine, and these numbers illustrate the strength of this vital industry,” Destination Gettysburg President and CEO Karl Pietrzak said. “We’re pleased to see such strong visitor spending and know that Adams County will continue to inspire new generations of visitors.”
The Tourism Economics report is generated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. Adams County was included in the Dutch Country Roads region, which includes the counties of Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York.
Destination Gettysburg, the official destination marketing organization of Adams County, Pa., promotes Gettysburg and Adams County as a premier travel destination to benefit and enhance our community by sharing history and creating new experiences.