YORK, PA - The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau will host its 14th Annual Tourism Industry Event on December 1 at the Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center, bringing together partners from across the county to highlight the power of the local tourism industry.

Visitors spend more than $923 million annually in York County, where the tourism industry supports 7,637 jobs. Tourism also generated more than $90 million in state and local tax revenue in 2014, providing direct tax relief for residents. 

The breakfast event will run from 7:30-10 a.m. and feature a keynote address from Terri Morrison, the co-author of the award-winning book Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands. She will deliver an informative presentation focused on how local businesses and their staff can navigate the myriad cultures, customs and situations they might encounter while working in a global tourism industry.

Anne Druck, President of the York County CVB, also will deliver the annual update on York County's growing tourism industry. 

The YCCVB has continued to be a leader in driving visitor spending, especially through its Sport York initiative. In 2015-16 alone, the York County CVB attracted sporting events that brought nearly $21 million in economic benefits to the community.

Thanks to an investment from the York County Commissioners and state lawmakers, the local tourism industry is poised for further growth. In 2016, the state passed enabling legislation that allowed 57 counties, including York County, to raise their local hotel tax to support local tourism efforts.

York County was the first to take advantage of the new law, and the YCCVB expects that an additional $1.3 million in annual revenue will be raised to support tourism efforts. Most of the increase will fund a new grant program supporting local tourism partners.

The 14th Annual Tourism Industry Event is sponsored by Glatfelter and York College of Pennsylvania's Hospitality Management Program. Getaways on Display, Inc., is the Hospitality Sponsor, Weinstein Realty Consultants the Friend Sponsor and SDPcreative the Print Sponsor.

Media are invited and encouraged to attend the event.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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