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Explore York tells Springettsbury supervisors tourism brings about $1 billion annually to York County
Summary
Explore York told supervisors it is the county’s official tourist promotion agency, said visitors spend 'just over $1,000,000,000' annually in York County, supports about 8,200 jobs and generates roughly $60 million in state and local taxes; the agency highlighted sports tourism and local grant programs funded by hotel occupancy tax.
Melissa, representing Explore York, told the Springettsbury Board of Supervisors on July 24 that the organization is the county’s official tourist-promotion agency (formerly the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau) and described its mission to attract visitors and increase local spending.
"We are the official tourist promotion agency," Melissa said, and she said recent numbers show visitors spend "just over $1,000,000,000" annually in York County. She added that tourism supports about 8,200 jobs and generates roughly $60,000,000 in state and local taxes.
Melissa described Sport York, the bureau’s sports tourism initiative, which she said generates roughly $25,000,000 in economic impact and noted that York County will host the NCAA Division III men’s baseball championships in 2027 and 2028. She also described a tourism grant program funded by a portion of the hotel occupancy tax that awards local projects and events; Explore York administers the program but a separate appointed committee decides funding awards.
Specific to Springettsbury Township, Melissa thanked the township for membership since 2017, noted Explore York’s support for local events including Food Truck Fridays and Sounds of Summer, and said the agency helped fund an America250 PA bell installation at Camp Security. She offered the organization’s marketing resources and wayfinding/welcome-signage assistance to help promote township assets.
Board members asked how Explore York markets particular local assets. Melissa said the agency’s marketing pillars focus on history and outdoor recreation (trails, parks, events) and described paid marketing, a travel guide and online content that aim to package smaller local attractions into cohesive visitor offerings.
