Tourism’s impact in Washington County

Washington County’s tourism industry is a major driver for our local economy, and its impact was again highlighted by a study from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED). In its recently released annual report, Economic Impact of Visitors in Pennsylvania, DCED firmly placed Washington County as a leader in the Greater Pittsburgh Region — ranking second behind Allegheny County — in key tourism impact categories, including Total Tourism Demand, Lodging, Food & Beverage and Retail. This study highlights not only the importance of tourism to our local economy, but also the success the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency has achieved in marketing our county, the Mon Valley, as well as showcasing our tourism attractions as premier regional destinations.

According to the report, the travel and tourism sector’s direct impacts for visitor spending in Washington County in 2023 (which is the most recent available data) were approximately $719.5 million, up from $665.9 million the prior year, or an increase of eight percent.

The report also highlights that Washington County’s visitor economy employed 5,593 people and generated $413 million in total labor income, both representing increases over the prior year. Overall, travel and tourism economy generated more than $1.2 billion in total sales for our local businesses, who welcomed visitors with their unique products and services. These strong results arrive as we celebrate another successful summer tourism season and stride confidently into a vibrant autumn festival season.

The numbers make the case that tourism is an important economic driver in Washington County, and the Tourism Agency continues to invest in the attractions, festivals and community events that make our county unique.

The grant funding and sponsorships the Tourism Agency awards help to strengthen these assets and support the volunteers that dedicate their time and energy to hosting outstanding events and welcoming visitors.

Thanks to the commitment of volunteers — our friends and neighbors — tourism attractions such as the PONY League World Series, Monongahela Area Historical Society at the Longwell House, Washington/Greene Counties Covered Bridge Festival, Canonsburg’s Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest, Monongahela Aquatorium, Charleroi’s Little Great Race and countless others contribute to bettering our communities and economy. We are proud that in 2025 alone the Tourism Agency has already invested over $675,000 in grants and sponsorships to support these volunteer community events that attract visitors to our county. And with the Tourism Agency’s partnership with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, we have further increased our impact by sharing resources, avoiding duplicate efforts and keeping our costs the lowest among our regional peer counties.

The Economic Impact of Visitors in Pennsylvania study’s performance measurements confirm the sustained growth and impact of the tourism sector in our local economy. The Tourism Agency is proud that our marketing and promotional efforts support the local businesses, events and non-profits that drive this economic success and contribute to our high quality of life. This growth demonstrates that Washington County is not only a great place to visit, but also a place where investing in our community assets delivers lasting economic dividends and provides a strong return on investment for our county.

Jeff M. Kotula is president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency.