Bedford County visitors bureau unveils five‑year tourism plan that cites 3% hotel‑room tax increase

Amanda Borroughs, representing the Bedford County Visitors Bureau, presented a five‑year Strategic Tourism Development Plan to the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 14, 2025, outlining marketing, rebranding and infrastructure steps aimed at growing visitor numbers and local tourism revenue.

The plan, which Borroughs said is intended to “expand tourism, strengthen the local economy and elevate the county into a premier travel destination in Pennsylvania,” includes an immediate rebrand to Discover Bedford County, new printed brochures, a redesigned website and an Instagram presence. It identifies Saxton as a gateway to Lake Raystown and prioritizes outdoor recreation assets in Breezewood and Everett tied to the Mid‑State Trail.

Brooke Kelly, director of the Bedford County Visitors Bureau, said the bureau will track a range of visitor metrics and focus outreach in early years on urban markets in Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with later outreach to Ohio and New York City. The presentation noted a projected 3% increase in hotel room tax revenue that the bureau said would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. A news release on the plan was scheduled to follow the meeting.

Commissioners made brief supportive comments during the presentation, and no formal county action on the plan was recorded at the meeting. The bureau will provide follow‑up updates on implementation and metrics.