Penn State visitors generate more than $1 billion for state economy

University Park, Pa. -- Tourism, Pennsylvania's second largest industry, receives an annual boost from Penn State in the form of tourists and tourist dollars spent, according to an economic impact study released Nov. 30.

Penn State visitors who attend conferences, sporting, cultural and alumni events at the University's 24 campus locations currently generate more annual economic impact than the combined impact of all of the state's airport hubs, professional sports teams, and arts and cultural organizations.

Stated another way, more than $1 out of every $17 tourism dollars generated annually in Pennsylvania is attributable to Penn State. Spending by out-of-state visitors alone totaled more than $632 million last year. Surpassed only by agriculture with its estimated annual impact of $23 billion, Penn State attracts nearly 875,000 visitors and generates $1.36 billion for the state's economy.

"Universities such as Penn State are attractive visitor destinations," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "Visitors come to see employees and students who are friends and family or to attend campus events. When they are from out-of-state, they spend money on accommodations, gifts, services and other items during their stay -- all factors to contributing to the economy."

At Penn State's University Park campus, home to the Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium, spending by visitors was nearly $356 million in 2003.

The Bryce Jordan Center, ranked first worldwide in concert ticket sales among university venues for the first half of 2003, sold more concert tickets than similar venues in such major markets as Boston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago. The Bryce Jordan Center, combined with Eisenhower Auditorium and Schwab Auditorium, brought more than 316,000 visitors to cultural events.

Last year, nearly 1.2 million people attended athletic events at Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center.

This past summer, the more than 31,000 young people who attended Penn State youth camps at the University Park campus contributed more than $430,000 to the local economy through their purchases at restaurants, shops and movie theaters. In all, nearly 86,000 individuals took advantage of specialized youth camps, adult and youth conferences, sports clinics and career fairs. More than 21,200 Penn State graduates attended alumni-specific events.

Spending by visitors to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center exceeded $35.5 million last year, while at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, visitor spending was more than $43.2 million. Visitors attending events at Penn State Erie contributed more than $22.6 million to the local economy.

To view the executive report, visit http://imagearchive.psu.edu/displayimage.php?album=1484&pos=12 online.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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