HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell today announced that Pennsylvania has been named the number one state for motorcoach travel in the U.S. by Byways magazine, a leading publication for motorcoach tour and travel planners.
“Pennsylvania is rich in culture and history and this recognition will help generate new interest from tour operators, which will bring new visitors, help us to better promote our communities and support our vital tourism industry,” said Rendell.
Three Pennsylvania locations were also ranked in the magazine’s overall “Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations” category: Philadelphia, Hershey and Gettysburg. Valley Forge and Pittsburgh received honorable mentions, giving Pennsylvania the most cities listed of all states.
Pennsylvania is the fourth-most-visited state in the country, with approximately 138 million visitors annually. The total impact of travelers’ spending on Pennsylvania’s economy is approximately $26 billion a year, and tourism is responsible for nearly 600,000 jobs.