Pennsylvania Works Together with Tennessee, Virginia and More US States with Over Three Billion USD Visitor Spending

Pennsylvania works together with Tennessee, Virginia and more US states as visitor spending grows, strengthening tourism economies and creating wider opportunities for destinations, businesses and communities. The US tourism economy continued to expand across several states in 2025, with destinations reporting higher visitor spending, economic impact, employment and tax contributions. From Pennsylvania and Georgia to Alabama, Tennessee and Hawaii, state tourism authorities recorded significant economic activity during the year.

Moreover, higher spending supports businesses, jobs and communities. This growth highlights how US states are building stronger destinations for travellers. The latest figures also show that tourism growth was not uniform across the country. Some states benefited from record visitor spending, while others experienced stronger overall economic impact or employment despite relatively modest changes in visitor numbers.

Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $87.2 billion in economic impact and supported more than 521,000 jobs in 2025, according to a report released by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The figures show continued expansion across the Commonwealth’s visitor economy, with 206.2 million visitors recorded during the year and visitor spending reaching $51.6 billion.

The DCED said tourism activity has grown by $6.4 billion since Governor Josh Shapiro took office in 2023, while the sector has added 13,427 jobs. The administration has also highlighted new tourism marketing investment and recent recognition from the U.S. Travel Association as indicators of the state’s wider destination strategy.

“Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has focused on making Pennsylvania a top destination for visitors from around the world, and this new report reinforces that we are truly The Great American Getaway,” said Secretary Siger. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, we created the first economic development strategy in two decades, secured key funding for tourism initiatives and programs, and continue to ensure the world knows that Pennsylvania has exciting and authentic experiences for every traveler.”

US States Showing Tourism-Economy Growth in 2025

How much did Pennsylvania’s tourism economy grow in 2025?

Pennsylvania recorded a substantial expansion in tourism during 2025, with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development reporting $87.2 billion in economic impact.

Visitor spending reached $51.6 billion, representing a 3.5 per cent increase from 2024. The state welcomed 206.2 million visitors, approximately 4.6 million more than the previous year.

Tourism supported 521,021 jobs across Pennsylvania, including employment connected with hospitality, events and food services. The industry also generated $5.2 billion in state and local tax revenue.

The figures place tourism firmly among Pennsylvania’s important economic sectors. The state is continuing to invest in destination marketing, with $19.5 million included for tourism marketing in the 2026-2027 bipartisan budget.

How many jobs did tourism support across Pennsylvania?

Tourism supported 521,021 jobs for Pennsylvanians in 2025, according to the DCED. The total includes employment connected with events, hospitality and the food industry, reflecting the wide economic reach of visitor activity.

Tourism employment extends beyond hotels and traditional attractions. Restaurants, transport providers, entertainment businesses, cultural venues, retailers and event operators can all benefit from visitor spending. As visitor volumes rise, the economic effect can therefore spread across communities rather than remaining concentrated in major tourism centres.

How many visitors travelled to Pennsylvania in 2025?

Pennsylvania welcomed 206.2 million visitors in 2025, approximately 4.6 million more than in 2024. The increase provides an important measure of demand for the state’s destinations, attractions and experiences.

From major cities and heritage attractions to outdoor recreation, food, culture and events, the Commonwealth offers a broad range of travel experiences. Rising visitor numbers can increase spending at accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions and other tourism-related businesses.

What did visitors spend in Pennsylvania?

Visitor spending reached $51.6 billion in 2025, representing a 3.5 per cent increase from the previous year. This spending formed a significant component of the wider $87.2 billion economic impact reported by the DCED.

The spending figure is particularly relevant because visitor expenditure circulates through local and regional economies. Money spent on hotels, restaurants, transportation, attractions and other services can support business revenues, employment and tax receipts. The latest results therefore provide a broader picture of tourism’s contribution than visitor numbers alone.

How much tax revenue did tourism generate?

Tourism activity generated $5.2 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2025, according to the DCED report. Tax receipts provide another measure of the sector’s economic contribution, alongside visitor spending and employment.

For communities across Pennsylvania, tourism-related tax revenue can form part of the public-sector return associated with visitor activity.

What tourism recognition did Pennsylvania receive?

Pennsylvania recently received three U.S. Travel Association ESTO awards for tourism excellence: the Bridging Communities Award, Digital Brilliance Award and Marketing Momentum Award. The Commonwealth said the three awards represented the largest number it had received in a single year.

Pennsylvania has increasingly used destination marketing to promote its attractions and experiences, with state officials linking promotional activity to the broader objective of increasing awareness among potential travellers.

How did Georgia’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Georgia reported another record year for tourism, with state officials saying the state achieved its fourth consecutive year of tourism records.

The state welcomed 175.6 million visitors in 2025, while visitor spending reached $46.2 billion. Spending increased by more than 2 per cent compared with 2024.

Tourism generated $84.1 billion in statewide economic impact and supported 473,837 jobs. The results demonstrate the scale of travel-related activity across Georgia’s accommodation, food, entertainment and attractions sectors.

Georgia’s latest performance highlights the continued importance of tourism to its wider economy. Strong visitor spending also provides revenue for businesses and supports employment across communities beyond the state’s largest tourism centres.

How did Virginia’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Virginia recorded $36.2 billion in visitor spending in 2025, representing a 3.1 per cent increase and a new record for the state’s tourism industry, according to Virginia tourism data.

The state recorded 46.6 million overnight visitors during the year. The figure reflects continued demand for Virginia’s cities, historic attractions, outdoor destinations, cultural experiences and hospitality businesses.

Tourism directly supported nearly 232,000 jobs across Virginia. Visitor activity therefore contributed to employment not only in hotels and attractions, but also in restaurants, transportation, retail and related services.

The 2025 results underline the breadth of Virginia’s tourism economy. Higher visitor spending provided additional economic activity for destinations across the Commonwealth while reinforcing tourism’s role in supporting local businesses.

How did Tennessee’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Tennessee generated $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025, an increase of 2.7 per cent from the previous year, according to Tennessee tourism officials.

The state recorded approximately 150 million visits during the year. Tennessee’s tourism economy has also expanded significantly over the longer term, with visitor spending reported to be 40 per cent higher than in 2018.

Major destinations benefit from the state’s music heritage, outdoor recreation, cities, food culture and events. Nashville, Memphis, the Great Smoky Mountains and other destinations remain important components of the visitor economy.

The 2025 figures demonstrate continued expansion despite a competitive US tourism market. Rising spending provides economic benefits to accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions, retailers and other businesses serving visitors.

How did Colorado’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Colorado generated a record $29.2 billion contribution to its economy from tourism in 2025, according to Colorado tourism research.

Visitor spending increased by 2 per cent during the year, while more than 96 million visitors travelled to destinations across the state. Outdoor recreation remained a central component of Colorado’s tourism offering.

The state’s mountain destinations, national parks, outdoor activities and urban tourism experiences continue to attract visitors throughout different seasons. Tourism therefore contributes to a diverse range of regional economies.

Colorado’s 2025 performance also demonstrates the importance of looking beyond visitor numbers. Spending growth and economic contribution provide additional indicators of how effectively tourism activity is supporting businesses and employment.

How did Wisconsin’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Wisconsin recorded $27 billion in tourism economic impact in 2025, marking a fourth consecutive record year, according to Wisconsin state tourism information.

The state recorded 117.9 million visits during the year. Wisconsin’s tourism economy benefits from a combination of outdoor recreation, sporting events, food experiences, festivals, lakes and cultural attractions.

The continued record performance indicates that visitor activity remained an important source of economic demand across the state. Tourism-related businesses benefited from spending generated by both leisure and event travellers.

Wisconsin’s results also demonstrate the value of maintaining a diversified destination offering. Different regions can attract visitors through seasonal experiences, helping distribute tourism activity across the calendar and supporting local economies.

How did Alabama’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Alabama recorded $24.9 billion in visitor spending in 2025, an increase of 4 per cent, according to the Alabama Tourism Department.

The state welcomed nearly 29 million visitors during the year. The increase in visitor spending highlights continued demand for Alabama’s beaches, cities, heritage attractions, outdoor recreation and cultural experiences.

Tourism supported 255,780 jobs across Alabama in 2025. Employment benefits extended across accommodation, restaurants, attractions, transportation and other businesses that depend on visitor demand.

The combination of higher spending, substantial visitor numbers and tourism-supported employment made 2025 an important year for Alabama’s visitor economy. The results also demonstrate how tourism can contribute significantly to regional business activity.

How did Hawaii’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Hawaii recorded $21.75 billion in visitor spending in 2025, representing a 5.7 per cent increase, according to Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Visitor arrivals declined by 0.6 per cent, creating an important contrast between visitor volume and tourism expenditure. Despite fewer arrivals, total visitor spending increased substantially.

The figures indicate that overall tourism performance cannot be assessed through arrival numbers alone. Spending levels provide another important measure of the economic contribution generated by visitors.

Hawaii’s 2025 results therefore illustrate a broader trend visible across parts of the US tourism market, where visitor expenditure can increase even when visitor volumes remain relatively stable or decline.

How did Mississippi’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Mississippi recorded a record $18.9 billion in tourism economic impact in 2025, according to the Mississippi Governor’s Office.

The state welcomed 45.5 million visitors, another record figure. Visitor spending reached $12.4 billion, supporting businesses across hospitality, entertainment, food services, attractions and transportation.

Tourism supported 137,728 jobs across Mississippi during the year. The employment contribution demonstrates the sector’s importance to communities that rely on visitor expenditure.

The state’s record results show how tourism can generate significant economic activity even in destinations with a smaller national tourism profile. Mississippi’s combination of visitor growth and economic impact provides a notable 2025 tourism story.

How did Utah’s tourism economy perform in 2025?

Utah generated a record $13.7 billion in visitor spending during 2025, according to research from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Tourism supported approximately 167,200 jobs and generated $1.6 billion in direct state and local taxes. The results highlight the wider economic footprint of Utah’s visitor industry.

Utah’s national parks, outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes and adventure tourism remain central to its destination proposition. These experiences attract visitors throughout different seasons and from multiple domestic and international markets.

The 2025 results demonstrate continued economic importance for the state. Record visitor spending, employment and tax contributions provide multiple indicators of tourism’s contribution beyond headline arrival figures.

What does the 2025 US state tourism data show?

The 2025 results demonstrate that tourism remained an important economic driver across a wide range of US states. Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee recorded substantial visitor spending and employment contributions, while Alabama, Hawaii, Mississippi and Utah reported notable growth or record performance.

The data also show why tourism should be measured through multiple indicators. Visitor arrivals alone do not capture the full economic effect, as demonstrated by Hawaii’s increase in spending despite a slight decline in arrivals.

State tourism economies are also influenced by different reporting methodologies, destination structures and market conditions. Consequently, individual state figures should be compared carefully rather than treated as a uniform national ranking.

Overall, the 2025 state-level data point to continued investment in tourism marketing, destination development and visitor experiences across the United States. For destinations competing for domestic and international travellers, spending, employment, economic impact and tax generation remain key measures of tourism’s wider economic role.

“Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and other US states demonstrate the powerful economic contribution of tourism through rising visitor spending. These results highlight the importance of destination marketing, diverse travel experiences and strategic investment, while showing how tourism can support businesses, employment and communities across the United States.”, says,

What is Pennsylvania planning for tourism marketing?

The bipartisan 2026-2027 budget includes $19.5 million for tourism marketing, according to the DCED. The funding is intended to attract visitors and promote experiences across Pennsylvania.

DCED Secretary Rick Siger said the Shapiro administration had focused on making Pennsylvania a leading destination for visitors and described the latest report as evidence supporting the state’s tourism strategy. His comments represent the administration’s assessment of its economic and destination-marketing efforts.

The performance also comes as destinations seek to convert strong visitor demand into longer stays, higher local spending and broader economic benefits for communities across Pennsylvania and tourism regions.

The new investment is expected to support continued promotion of Pennsylvania’s tourism offering as the Commonwealth competes with destinations across the United States for domestic and international travellers. With visitor numbers, spending, jobs and tax revenue all forming part of the latest tourism picture, the 2025 results provide a detailed snapshot of the sector’s economic role and the state’s ongoing effort to expand it.

Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and more US states are showing how visitor spending can strengthen tourism economies. As travellers continue to explore diverse destinations, spending supports businesses, employment and communities. Therefore, these states demonstrate the wider economic value of tourism while creating new opportunities for sustainable destination growth across the United States.

Image: Visit Philadelphia