Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lancaster has seen a boom in tourism, as visitors sought rural respite from crowded cities, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal.  

Tourism and hospitality groups are vying to push for more events at the helm of 2026, where Philadelphia will be the host of the United States’ 250^th birthday bash.  

Discover Lancaster’s 2022 report found that the county saw 9.8 million visitors in 2022, spiking 7.1 percent from the previous year.  

CEO of Discover Lancaster, Ed Harris, chalks this up to the organization marketed in more metropolitan areas, such as New York City and Washington, D.C.  

Increased tourism is also spurring the restaurant scene into high gear, with the introdution of more upscale dining venues.  

Discover Lancaster wants to harness the diverse set of attractions that the county offers to secure larger events.  

“It’s not just trying to go after leisure travelers and have them spend multiple nights, but also those big festivals and events. The more of those we can attract, the better,” Harris said. 

Next year, Lancaster will host the LPGA U.S. Women’s Open, preparing the county for the FIFA World Cup and the country’s 250^th anniversary 80 miles away in Philadelphia.  

Read more about how Lancaster County is benefiting from the tourism boom and its plans for major events in the Philadelphia Business Journal.  

Remarkable Experiences in Lancaster County!