Happy Valley, Centre County, PA reaches its 5 million visitors mark

Happy Valley hosted 3.2 million day-trippers and 1.8 million overnight visitors, with an average spend of USD $200 per visitor.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organization for Centre County, Pennsylvania, announced that visitation to the destination has already reached the 5 million visitor mark, an ambitious goal set for 2024. This milestone reflects a significant achievement for the region, showcasing its growing appeal as a prime destination for travelers.

With a focus on being a four-season destination with an array of recreational, cultural and entertainment offerings, Happy Valley hosted 3.2 million day-trippers and 1.8 million overnight visitors. With an average spend of USD $200 per visitor, the total tourism expenditure has exceeded USD $1 billion.

“I am optimistic about the future of Happy Valley tourism,” said Fritz Smith, CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, who noted that visitation is a crucial economic driver for Centre County, significantly impacting employment opportunities and job creation. “We have ambitious plans to elevate tourism in Happy Valley to the next level, including the development of new hotels within the region. These efforts are grounded in a county-and organization-wide commitment tourism, and strengthened by ongoing collaboration with the community and university.”

Along with the recent launch of a comprehensive, visitor-focused website, another significant milestone in Happy Valle, PA tourism is the allocation of nearly USD $1 million to 77 tourism projects for the 2024-25 fiscal year. These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance the region’s appeal to both domestic and international travelers. In India, Indiva Marketing is spearheading Happy Valley’s efforts to boost leisure visitation, awareness, and visibility.