The economic power of Taylor Swift in Pittsburgh

Taylor Swift performs at Acrisure Stadium
Taylor Swift performs at Acrisure Stadium Photo credit Audacy Pittsburgh

The final numbers are in from Taylor Swift's record-setting weekend in Pittsburgh.

Visit Pittsburgh says her two concerts generated $46 million in direct spending, with 83 percent of ticket buyers coming from outside Allegheny County.

A large number of those people came from Cleveland, Washington D.C., Buffalo, Columbus, Youngstown, New York City, Rochester, Canton, Philadelphia and Erie.

Out of town visitors spent an estimated $42.9 million on hotels, restaurants, retail, transportation and attractions.

Hotel occupancy in the county averaged 95 percent over that weekend, the second highest on record.

“Pittsburgh’s tourism industry is events-driven, and the success of the Taylor Swift concert demonstrates our region’s capacity to host top-tier concerts and other large-scale events with big attendance draws,” said VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar. “From the outstanding experience provided by Acrisure Stadium and the City of Pittsburgh’s public safety and public works teams to the quality and capabilities of our restaurants, hotels, and other cultural and entertainment attractions, the Taylor Swift weekend confirms Pittsburgh’s reputation as a world-class host and destination. The team at Acrisure Stadium certainly developed and delivered an amazing concertgoer experience.  VisitPITTSBURGH will continue to leverage the success of significant events such as this as it markets the region to business, sports and leisure event organizers.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: Audacy Pittsburgh