Marketing to Attract Tourists Program

Marketing to Attract Tourists Program is sponsored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This program provides funding to support Pennsylvania's tourism sector in attracting visitors by funding projects that increase awareness of destinations and attractions through marketing and advertising initiatives.

Marketing to Attract Tourists - PA Department of Community & Economic Development Marketing to Attract Tourists Secure More in Sports Grant Guidelines Big Stage Events Grant Guidelines 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.

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.

Individual destination marketing organizations, tourism-related businesses, and coalitions of regional, industry or activity-based groups. Non-profit organizations with a significant interest in the development of tourism product that provides a visitor experience to a tourist region, destination and/or attractions are eligible to apply.

Funds may be used to: Fund facility enhancements Support new construction and/or renovations Develop marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns to build attendance Marketing to Attract Tourists An applicant may not make or authorize any substantial change to an approved project without first obtaining DCED’s consent in writing.

If the full amount of the grant is not required for the project, the unused portion shall be returned to DCED. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in penalties, including repayment of funds with interest. When a project is funded, the recipient must place the grant funds in an interest bearing account.

Any interest earned on invested grants funds must be returned to the state. Historic Preservation Tax Credit (HPTC) Coal Refuse Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit Flood Mitigation Program (FMP) Hospital Emergency Loan Program (HELP) PA Life Science Greenhouse Initiative