PDCED: Marketing to Attract Tourists Grant

Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Marketing to Attract Tourists Grant, offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance tourism by funding marketing initiatives. This program targets the 72 million potential visitors within a four-hour drive to Pennsylvania, encouraging them to explore the state's diverse attractions. Eligible applicants include destination marketing organizations and tourism-related businesses, with funds supporting marketing campaigns and events that drive significant economic impact.

The Marketing to Attract Tourists Program provides funding to support the tourism sector throughout Pennsylvania in attracting the 72 million people who live within a four-hour drive of Pennsylvania to experience The Great American Getaway.
In order to increase awareness of the thousands of quintessential getaway experiences throughout Pennsylvania, the primary goal of the program is to fund projects that increase awareness of Pennsylvania’s destinations and attractions through marketing and advertising initiatives.
There are four programs offered within Marketing to Attract Tourists:
The Great American Getaway Co-Op: open to destination marketing organizations and tourism-related businesses who partner to develop an outdoor, culinary, historical/cultural, or urban travel experience that will inspire visitors to discover Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway.Secure More in Sports: open to entities which attract and secure new consumer, league, youth, amateur or professional sporting events to Pennsylvania that will result in a large influx of visitors who will stay for two or more nights. Grants can be used for marketing and sales outreach, bid fees, rights, and other expenses associated with the ability to pitch and win a bid.Big Stage Events: open to entities that attract big stage events such as major concerts, conventions and conferences to Pennsylvania which will result in a large influx of attendees that will visit for three or more overnight stays. Grants can be used for rental costs, shuttles, marketing, receptions, speakers, production, and other costs.The General Marketing to Attract Tourists Fund: open to destination marketing organizations and tourism-related businesses which attract the 72 million people who live within a four-hour drive that seek funding support to raise awareness of their destination and/or to execute an event that will attract out-of-state visitors.
Uses
Funds may be used for the development of marketing and sales assets; and, for the creation of multi-channel marketing campaigns that increase awareness of a destination, experience, and/or event. Funds may also be used to support event operations that attract visitors and result in significant economic impact, respective to the region.

Eligibility

Individual destination marketing organizations, tourism-related businesses, and coalitions of regional, industry or activity-based groups.