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Study: Tourism spending up in and around Gettysburg

By WTOP Staff

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Tourism spending is rebounding in Adams County after the area’s top industry went into a slump three years ago, one study showed.

Although an increase in the number of Gettysburg visitors likely accounts for some of that rebound in the tourism industry, there is also evidence that suggests individual tourists are spending more money as the economy improves.

In 2010, spending increased about 6.6 percent over the previous year, according to a recently released state study. The study found $555.8 million was spent in hotels, restaurants and gas stations that year. Local tourism officials are optimistic about the short-term growth.

“To see Adams County on the upswing ahead of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is a promising sign,” said Norris Flowers, president of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, in a news release about the study.

“We will work to grow spending, employment and tax revenue well into the 150th anniversary and beyond.”

The study was commissioned by the state and measures areas of the tourism industry, including visitor spending, tax revenue, employment and wages. Conducted by the consulting company Tourism Economics located northwest of Philadelphia, the study was released this year and analyzes all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

In 2008, Adams County spending stood at $602.8 million. That fell to $520.9 million the next year, before rebounding in 2010. Although spending was still below recession levels, the firm found that in Adams County tourists spent more money as the recession came to an end.

“Previously during the recession they were guarding their wallets,” said Christopher Pike, an economist who helped complete the report. “Now they’re upgrading their free activities to paid activities.”

Pike points to specific places where tourists are spending more. The number of overnight stays in Gettysburg increased, as well as visitors’ willingness to spend money on going out to eat.

“They have a little bit more to spend,” said Pike.

The Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau also believes there has been a change in travel patterns.

“People are making shorter, more frequent, visits,” Flowers said.

He believes tourists are finding more to do in Gettysburg than just see the battlefield. Repeat visitors are returning to tour other Adams County attractions such as the wineries and the apple industry. Flowers believes this is in part because of marketing efforts.

The challenge lies in identifying the difference between money spent by tourists and money spent by Adams County residents.

Researchers admit that’s not an easy task.

To determine spending levels specific to tourists, the researchers considered the relation of individual counties to the entire state. For example, if Adams County contains 1 percent of the state’s population but 3 percent of the state’s restaurant spending, researches would be able to determine that the excess can be attributed to tourists.

“If we know how the overall industry is performing at the state level, then we can get a feel for how much spending is at the local level,” Pike explained.

The study, which considered the years 2005 through 2010, found tourism spending peaked in Adams County with $602.8 million in 2008.

Adams County falls well below tourism spending in York County during these years.

Tourism spending in York County also peaked in 2008, at $829.2 million, according to the study. In 2009, spending decreased to $706.5 million, and spending in 2010 was $753.5 million.

From 2008 to 2010, overall tourism spending decreased about 9.1 percent in York County.

In both Adams and York counties, a large percentage of 2010 tourism spending went to transportation, 23 and 29 percent, respectively. That includes money spent at the gas pumps.

Visitors also spent a large percentage at restaurants that year. In Adams County, about 20 percent of total spending was at restaurants, and in York County it stood at about 23 percent.

Other 2010 visitor spending went to lodging: 13 percent in Adams County and 10 percent in York County. About 19 percent of total tourism spending went to retail for both counties in 2010.

Recreation was found to be 22 percent of total tourism spending in Adams County and 17 percent of total tourism spending in York County.

The study also found that the tourism industry created thousands of jobs in both counties.

In York County, the industry employed 7,038 people in 2010, a decrease of about 2.4 percent from the year prior.

In Adams County, the tourism industry employed 4,771 people in 2010, a decrease of about 1.3 percent.

“This is a minor decrease, something that we are confident will rebound in the coming years,” Flowers said. “We expect that the closer we get to the 150th anniversary, the more businesses will be hiring to accommodate additional customers during this commemoration.”

Editorial intern Caia Caldwell contributed to this report.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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