Washington Co. tourism report shows economic impact, visitor growth

The report shows the county recorded more than 1.6 million trips in 2025, including 964,000 overnight trips.

Tourism pumped nearly $765 million into Washington County last year while helping support more than 8,600 jobs, according to a new report that points to growing benefits for Mon Valley communities.

The Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency’s 2025 report found that tourism produced $764.9 million in direct visitor spending in Washington County, supported 8,663 jobs and generated $429.5 million in labor income.

Tourism agency President Jeff Kotula said the numbers show tourism is becoming a larger part of the county’s economy, including communities in the Mon Valley.

“Tourism in Washington County is not just about visitation, but also economic vitality, community development, and quality of life,” Kotula said. “The data in this annual report demonstrates the tangible return on investment our tourism efforts deliver for our partners, businesses, as well as the residents and municipalities across the county.”

The report shows the county recorded more than 1.6 million trips in 2025, including 964,000 overnight trips.

Visitors stayed an average of three days, creating about 2 million total visits overnight.

Officials said that continued growth is especially important for Mon Valley communities that rely on heritage tourism, festivals and small businesses.

The Monongahela Main Street Program and Mon Valley Alliance Foundation were among the groups highlighted in the report under infrastructure and community support.

The Monongahela Aquatorium also was listed among the county’s featured attractions.

Several Mon Valley destinations and organizations were included among the agency’s grant and sponsorship recipients, including the Bradford House Historical Association, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and the National Duncan Glass Society.

The report noted that the tourism agency invested $678,588 in grants and sponsorships in 2025 to support festivals, attractions and community projects across the county.

Since the grant program began, the agency has invested a total of $3.4 million.

Among the largest ongoing investments is the American Spirit Grant Program, which will distribute more than $1.6 million for projects in each of Washington County’s 66 municipalities as part of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration this year.

The grant program was designed to help municipalities create long-term projects tied to America250 while improving tourism and community engagement.

The tourism agency also commissioned artist James Sulkowski to create “The American Spirit,” Washington County’s Liberty Bell replica for the Bells Across Pennsylvania program. The bell was later donated to the Washington County Historical Society for permanent public display.

The agency also continued promoting the county through events and contests, including the Big Swing Sweepstakes tied to the U.S. Open and efforts surrounding the American Junior Golf Association event.

Washington County also hosted the National Wiffle League Association National Tournament and worked with the American Junior Golf Association event, which brought players from five countries and more than 16 states.

That tournament alone generated about 375 hotel room nights, the report stated.

Continued growth was highlighted in the county’s marketing efforts.

The agency reported 27 million television impressions, 16 million digital impressions, 12.4 million paid social media impressions and 638,000 website sessions.

The county also recorded 476,000 new website users and 558,000 email marketing impressions.

A new partnership with Relay, a company that connects businesses with local content creators, helped the tourism agency produce more than 125 short-form videos promoting Washington County destinations and events.

Those videos generated nearly 789,000 views across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

The report said the videos were designed to help attract younger travelers and encourage overnight stays.

Data from Placer.ai showed Washington County’s largest visitor markets were Pittsburgh, which accounted for about 206,000 trips, Johnstown- Altoona with 120,000 and the Cleveland-Akron region with 103,000.

Retail shopping, hotels and restaurants remained the county’s three most common visitor activities.

Kotula said tourism’s benefits go beyond hotels and attractions.

“From record economic impact to transformative community investments, 2025 was a hugely positive year for the tourism economy in Washington County,” Kotula said. “Our team continues to remain focused on expanding our reach, strengthening our partnerships, and supporting events, attractions, and initiatives that will benefit both visitors and our communities.”

The report outlined plans for an event center in Washington County.

Tourism officials said a study found a proposed 30,000-square-foot facility near the Racetrack Road corridor could generate more than $24 million in construction- related activity and up to $22 million in annual economic impact once completed.

The center would host concerts, conferences and community events while filling what the report described as a shortage of mid-sized venues in the region.

Kotula said the county plans to continue building on that momentum in 2026 through new investments, marketing efforts and community partnerships.

“From record economic impact to transformative community investments, 2025 was a hugely positive year for the tourism economy in Washington County,” Kotula said. “Our team continues to remain focused on expanding our reach, strengthening our partnerships, and supporting events, attractions, and initiatives that will benefit both visitors and our communities.”