Research Reports
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2025
Inventory and Analysis of Short-Term Rentals in Pennsylvania
January 22, 2025 | Rural People and Communities
This project provides an in-depth inventory of short-term rentals (STRs) in Pennsylvania, using AirDNA data from 2008−2023, and mapped STR locations in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The growth of STRs in Pennsylvania has been remarkable, beginning modestly in 2008 and expanding rapidly over the next 15 years. What started with just a handful of properties grew into a substantial market by 2023, with 53,810 active listings across all 67 counties. The STR market's evolution reflects broader trends in the sharing economy, with properties ranging from luxury apartments to unique accommodations like yurts and houseboats. The financial performance of these rentals also saw significant growth, with total revenue reaching $856.7 million in 2023. This growth highlights the increasing importance of STRs within Pennsylvania's tourism and housing markets, as well as their diverse appeal across both urban and rural areas. This project examines the distribution of STRs across Pennsylvania historically at the statewide level and analyzes 20 municipalities for housing characteristics, occupancy rates, economics, maximum guests, and bedrooms to gain insights into potential housing issues. The analysis shows how urban areas like Harrisburg, Erie, and Allentown leverage their economic bases and historical significance to attract STRs. In contrast, rural areas like Gettysburg, Jim Thorpe, and State College see growth driven by tourism linked to historical sites, natural beauty, and educational institutions. The research highlights disparities in Average Daily Rates (ADR) and occupancy rates between urban and rural areas, emphasizing the need for tailored policies for each. As STRs grow in popularity, this study offers a foundation for municipalities to manage and regulate this sector, ensuring positive contributions to local economies and community well-being.
Executive Summary
Tags: tourism , short-term rentals , sharing economy , housing market
2021
Your Agritourism Business in Pennsylvania: A Resource Handbook
December 21, 2021 | Agriculture
Agritourism is the combination of two of Pennsylvania’s largest industries: agriculture and tourism. Agritourism represents an increasing opportunity for the tourism and agricultural industries. Agribusiness and tourism and two of the six key industries identified by the Department of Community and Economic Development for growth in Pennsylvania, which means there are many available resources for those looking to get into or wanting to grow their business.
Flyer
Tags: how-to guide , business development , tourism , agriculture
2020
Pennsylvania's Emerging Cider Industry and Its Contribution to Artisan Beverages and Sustainable Agriculture (2020)
February 05, 2020 | Agriculture
Cider was an essential commodity to the New World settlers and the most prominent alcoholic beverage in Pennsylvania's early years. Recently, a shift in the food and drink industry has occurred with consumers searching for alternative beverage options with new flavors and locally sourced ingredients. Craft breweries are at the forefront of this movement. Craft beverages contribute to positive place-based tourism. This creates the potential to offer sustainable economic development to rural areas. Many areas in the Mid-Atlantic are taking advantage of the growth in artisan beverages, and Pennsylvania has the potential to become a cider tourism hub. With some adjustments to legislation, regulations and marketing, and better coordination among tourism promotion agencies and cider producers, Pennsylvania's cider industry could have significant impacts on the state's agritourism industry.
Executive Summary
Tags: artisan beverages , tourism , cider , agriculture
2018
Wildlife Tourism on Pennsylvania Public Lands (2018)
January 16, 2018 | Environment and Natural Resources
This research examined the characteristics of wildlife tourists and their non-consumptive use of wildlife assets on Pennsylvania public lands, with a special focus on Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGLs). The main purpose of the SGLs are to manage habitat for wildlife and provide opportunities for lawful hunting and trapping. At times, the non-consumptive use of SGLs has been a point of contention. The research was designed to describe wildlife tourism on Pennsylvania's public lands from the perspective of wildlife tourists and wildlife tourism stakeholders, and review central policy issues surrounding Pennsylvania SGLs access and use.
Executive Summary
Tags: tourism , wildlife
2016
The Economic Impact of Pennsylvania Heritage Areas (2016)
January 14, 2016 | Community and Economic Development
Research was conducted in five Pennsylvania Heritage Areas in 2014-2015 to analyze their economic impact in Pennsylvania. The research involved a survey of heritage-area visitors, interviews with stakeholders in the five study heritage areas (HAs), and an estimation of the economic impact of the heritage-related visitation to all 12 HAs statewide. Overall, the research found that tourists spent an estimated 7.5 million days/nights in Pennsylvania's 12 HAs in 2014, purchasing $2 billion worth of goods and services. The total contribution of heritage visitor spending to the state's economy was 25,708 jobs and $798 million in labor income. HAs play a key role in sustaining tourism throughout the regions they operate. All five study HAs were extremely active in their respective communities as planners, patterns and advisors. Although regional tourism promotions are not their only significant organizational objective, the HAs make strong efforts to maximize the impact of heritage tourism by partnering with their regional tourism promotion agencies.
Tags: tourism , heritage
2012
An Evaluation of Strategies and Finances of the Rural Tourism Industry (2012)
April 17, 2012 | Community and Economic Development
This research examined the history, implementation and uses of the Hotel Room Rental Tax in Pennsylvania’s 3rd through 8th Class counties.
Tags: economic development , tourism
Introducing the Center's new journal, Rural Policy: The Research Bulletin of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.