Tourism is the charm

Allegheny County topped all other counties in Pennsylvania for tourism spending and tourism-related jobs for the third year in a row in 1998, according to a study by D.K. Shifflet & Associates.

The county’s $2.17 billion in direct domestic spending and 29,000 front line tourism jobs landed it in the top spot, edging out Philadelphia County.

Philadelphia County ranked second at $2.08 billion in spending, while Dauphin County came in third at $1.51 billion. Lancaster County was fourth with $1.21 billion in spending.

The study also found that the Pittsburgh region, which it defines as Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Lawrence and Washington counties, realized a 6.5 percent increase in visitor spending, growing from $2.6 billion in 1997 to $2.77 billion in 1998.

The study, “1998 Pennsylvania Economic Impact Analysis,” was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development.

How to reach: The Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.planpittsburgh.com or (412) 281-7711

Ray Marano