BUCKS COUNTY, PA (September 21, 2016)Occupancy for Bucks County’s hotels and bed & breakfasts reached record levels this summer! Driven largely by an increase in out-of-town visitors, many attractions in the Bucks County hospitality industry also saw more foot traffic.

“Tourism plays a crucial role in Bucks County’s economy and the rise in occupancy reflects a significant increase in overnight visitors to the area,” said Jerry Lepping, President/COO of Visit Bucks County, “Visitor spending generates $937.2 million in economic impact and supports 12,000 local jobs making tourism a vital part of Bucks County.*”

Key lodging statistics indicate tourism is thriving this year in Bucks County, with a notable increase in occupancy from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Occupancy for May through August was 75.2%, the best in nearly a decade. Another key indicator, average daily room rate, was also up for summer. Overnight guests paid an average of $112.80 per room, up 3.1% from $109.40 last summer.

Bucks County Summer 2016 Occupancy Highlights*:

  • Best May occupancy (70.2%) in the past 10 years.
  • Best June occupancy (75.3%) since 2012.
  • Best July occupancy (77.6%) in the past 10 years.
  • Best August occupancy (77.7%) in the past 10 years.

“2016 vacation package sales were up 11% at Sesame Place,” said Bob Caruso, Sesame Place Park President. “This resulted in an increase in the number of guests visiting the park this summer from markets including Scranton, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Albany, NY.”

Joe Capone, Executive Director for Washington Crossing Historic Park noted, “The Park saw a 20% increase in revenue this summer fueled by out-of-town visitors.”

Bucks County also received an abundance of accolades this past summer from top national publications such as USA Today, Brides, Country Living, and Refinery29.

For more information or photography contact Alexa Johnson (alexaj@visitbuckscounty.com, 215-639-0030 x 227), Public Relations Manager.

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About Visit Bucks County

Visit Bucks County (VBC) is the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County. The tourism office, with more than 450 tourism/hospitality partners throughout Bucks County, promotes all there is to see and do to potential visitors and residents. In addition to consumer travel, Visit Bucks County targets sports tournaments, motor coach groups, meetings, special events and weddings. For more information on VBC activities call 215-639-0300, visit VisitBucksCounty.com or stop by the Bucks County Visitor Center located at 3207 Street Road in Bensalem (adjacent to the entrance to PARX Casino).

*Sources: Visit Philadelphia/Tourism Economics and STR, Inc./STR Global, Ltd.