Study: Route 6 Tourism Benefits Economy
By Sandra Rhodes
Visitor & Member Services
Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau
Tourism is not only the second largest industry in Pennsylvania, but is also an economic engine helping the region.
That is certainly along the Pa. Route 6 corridor.
“U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania is not only a highly recognized scenic highway, it’s also an economic generator,” said Terri Dennison, executive director of the Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corp.
According to a study released by the PA Route 6 Heritage Corp., Route 6 attracts 3.5 million travelers a year. These travelers, in turn, spend about $91.1 million which helps pay for 2,000 jobs.
The study also revealed that half of the visitors to Route 6 were first-time visitors. More than 67 percent were staying overnight in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts or campgrounds. The average stay along Route 6 was 2.9 nights. The typical Route 6 travel party is comprised of one to four adults without children.
Travelers along Route 6 in McKean County have a wide variety of things to see and do, according to Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.
“People love to travel Route 6 for a sense of Americana as well as to see the quaint towns along the way,” Devlin said.
More and more, private investments from local people are turning the corridor into a must-see experience.
Devlin cited in particular the Mansion District Inn in Smethport, Hilltop Suites in Kane as well s the Lantz Corners Getaway in Lantz Corners as the perfect places to spend a night in McKean County. The Barrel House Restaurant & Tavern is conveniently located next to the Lantz Corners Getaway.
The excitement and experience at Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Lounge continues to grow with continued expansion of activities in the lounge as well as wine on its menu.
Lindgren’s Variety Store in Smethport offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that harkens back to the time when five and dime stores were the norm.
“These businesses are enhancing our region and are helping to put Route 6 in McKean County on the map,” Devlin said.
The study, sponsored by Heritage PA, analyzed the economic impact of heritage areas at both the state and national level. In Pennsylvania, six heritage areas, including PA Route 6, participated in the study. Surveys were conducted at several sites in August through October 2008. Survey data was paired with visitation statistics for specific sites within each heritage area and fed into an economic impact model developed by the National Park Service called Money Generation Model.
Overall, the study showed that visitors to participating heritage areas in Pennsylvania spent a total of $300.9 million in 2008, generating about $255.8 million in direct sales, which supported more than $95 million in salary and wages for Pennsylvania residents.
U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania has been recognized as a premier touring and driving route by “Car & Traveler,” “National Geographic Traveler” and “Harley-Davidson.” Pa. Route 6 was designated as Pennsylvania’s 12th Heritage Area in January 2005 by Gov. Ed Rendell. The Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corridor includes all of Route 6 and Route 6N and encompasses Crawford, Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties.
Visitor & Member Services
Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau
Tourism is not only the second largest industry in Pennsylvania, but is also an economic engine helping the region.
That is certainly along the Pa. Route 6 corridor.
“U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania is not only a highly recognized scenic highway, it’s also an economic generator,” said Terri Dennison, executive director of the Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corp.
According to a study released by the PA Route 6 Heritage Corp., Route 6 attracts 3.5 million travelers a year. These travelers, in turn, spend about $91.1 million which helps pay for 2,000 jobs.
The study also revealed that half of the visitors to Route 6 were first-time visitors. More than 67 percent were staying overnight in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts or campgrounds. The average stay along Route 6 was 2.9 nights. The typical Route 6 travel party is comprised of one to four adults without children.
Travelers along Route 6 in McKean County have a wide variety of things to see and do, according to Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau.
“People love to travel Route 6 for a sense of Americana as well as to see the quaint towns along the way,” Devlin said.
More and more, private investments from local people are turning the corridor into a must-see experience.
Devlin cited in particular the Mansion District Inn in Smethport, Hilltop Suites in Kane as well s the Lantz Corners Getaway in Lantz Corners as the perfect places to spend a night in McKean County. The Barrel House Restaurant & Tavern is conveniently located next to the Lantz Corners Getaway.
The excitement and experience at Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Lounge continues to grow with continued expansion of activities in the lounge as well as wine on its menu.
Lindgren’s Variety Store in Smethport offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that harkens back to the time when five and dime stores were the norm.
“These businesses are enhancing our region and are helping to put Route 6 in McKean County on the map,” Devlin said.
The study, sponsored by Heritage PA, analyzed the economic impact of heritage areas at both the state and national level. In Pennsylvania, six heritage areas, including PA Route 6, participated in the study. Surveys were conducted at several sites in August through October 2008. Survey data was paired with visitation statistics for specific sites within each heritage area and fed into an economic impact model developed by the National Park Service called Money Generation Model.
Overall, the study showed that visitors to participating heritage areas in Pennsylvania spent a total of $300.9 million in 2008, generating about $255.8 million in direct sales, which supported more than $95 million in salary and wages for Pennsylvania residents.
U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania has been recognized as a premier touring and driving route by “Car & Traveler,” “National Geographic Traveler” and “Harley-Davidson.” Pa. Route 6 was designated as Pennsylvania’s 12th Heritage Area in January 2005 by Gov. Ed Rendell. The Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corridor includes all of Route 6 and Route 6N and encompasses Crawford, Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties.
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