Lancaster tourism grows, and new attractions are in the offing

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Tourism in Lancaster County continues to be big business.

According to Discover Lancaster’s 2023 tourism economic impact report, the tourism industry in Lancaster County showed marked increases over 2022. The report also emphasized what’s new for the county’s tourism in 2024, the Lancaster Country Farm Adventure Trail included.

“We’re very pleased to see that Lancaster County tourism continued to grow last year, off a huge 2022,” Edward Harris, president/CEO of Discover Lancaster, the county’s official destination marketing organization, said in a statement.

Analysis firm Tourism Economics listed the following highlights in its report:

• An estimated 9.92 million visitors to Lancaster County directly spent $2.58 billion in 2023, representing gains of 1.5% and 4.3%, respectively, over 2022. 
• This visitor spending supported 25,679 county jobs in total, including 16,922 direct industry jobs.  These figures both grew by 2-3% last year and keep tourism in the Top 10 largest non-agriculture private sector employers in the county.

“It’s great to see that the industry continued to grow last year, even after such a big year in 2022,” Harris said. “We had a number of fresh offerings in 2023, and our geographic, open-space, and ‘good value’ advantages are always appealing to travelers.”

The Lancaster County Farm Adventure Trail is a mobile-based agritourism trail that runs through Nov. 3 and explores the county via approximately 30 stops, farm-to-table restaurants, and farm-themed attractions among them.  Trail users are eligible for special onsite offers, can redeem points for branded prizes from Discover Lancaster, and can make an optional donation to the Lancaster Farmland Trust to help preserve the area’s agricultural heritage.

Among the attractions expected to drive visitations to Lancaster are Sight & Sound Theatres‘ new original production “Daniel”, which debuted in mid-March and runs through December.

Late May will see the return of the world’s top professional female golfers to Lancaster Country Club for the U.S. Women’s Open.

Discover Lancaster is also promoting the following new offerings:

• The expected return of the Hershey Farm Resort following the rebuilding of its restaurant will feature an enhanced Grand Smorgasbord and new dining options like a café. 
• The 95th anniversary of Miller’s Smorgasbord – the oldest one in the county – plus the 70th anniversary of Kitchen Kettle Village and the 40th anniversary of Refreshing Mountain Retreat & Adventure Center. 
• Decades’ new mezzanine balcony area with additional games & dining space, as well as a new outdoor patio & bar slated to open soon. 
• The first full year of events at the Barn at Paradise Station, a restored and technologically enhanced 19th century Pennsylvania Bank Barn. 
• The Inn at Leola Village’s prestigious 2024 Forbes 4-star rating for its lodging & spa, and Bistro Barberet & Bakery‘s first-in-the-U.S. designation as a “World’s French Restaurant”.

“Tourism is a significant part of Lancaster County’s economy, so more visitors mean more jobs and tax revenues for our area,” said Harris. “With additional new things on the way this year, we hope to keep that momentum going despite some of the potential economic headwinds that remain at play.”