Surrounding Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, this picturesque county is just a 3.5-hour drive from New York City and Washington DC
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organisation for Centre County, Pennsylvania, has announced that visitation to the destination in the first six months of the year has already reached 5 million mark, the target for the whole year.
According to a press statement by the tourism board, the record numbers reflect a significant achievement for the region and its growing appeal as a prime destination for travellers.
Fritz Smith
“I am optimistic about the future of Happy Valley tourism,” says Fritz Smith, CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, who noted that visitation is a crucial economic driver for Centre County, significantly impacting employment opportunities and job creation.
The statement adds that, with a focus on being a four-season destination with an array of recreational, cultural and entertainment offerings, Happy Valley hosted 3.2 million day-trippers and 1.8 million overnight visitors.
With an average spend of USD 200 per visitor, the total tourism expenditure has exceeded USD 1 billion.
The statement adds that Happy Valley is an affordable destination catering to a variety of interests and budgets.
Along with the recent launch of a comprehensive, visitor-focused website, another significant milestone in Happy Valley, PA tourism is the allocation of nearly USD 1 million to 77 tourism projects for the 2024-25 fiscal year. These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance the region’s appeal to both domestic and international travellers.
The statement adds that visitors will also find diverse lodging options and wide range of dining experiences, including exceptional field-to-fork cuisine for all palates.
“We have ambitious plans to elevate tourism in Happy Valley to the next level, including the development of new hotels within the region. These efforts are grounded in a county- and organisation-wide commitment to tourism and strengthened by ongoing collaboration with the community and university,” Smith adds.
Surrounding Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, this picturesque county is just a 3.5-hour drive from New York City and Washington DC.
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