STROUDSBURG, PA (KYW Newsradio) — Communities and resorts in the Pocono Mountains are now preparing for the summer season after a successful winter run fueled by brisk activity on the ski slopes.
Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, said the keystone to success is the Pocono Promise to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
It’s a pledge, he explained, to protect the safety of visitors, employees of the resorts and attractions, and the communities in which they’re located.
"And people do recognize that, 'Okay, they’re committed to ensuring that I’m safe and I’m comfortable and that I have a great experience.'"
The COVID-19 safety protocols contained in the Pocono Promise will carry on into the summer and fall seasons.
"It has been very successful," Barrett said. "There’s been a major concentration on mitigation procedures and the understanding that we need to be as safe as possible to protect our team members, to protect the guests.
"So people are looking for drive-to destinations that are affordable, that they feel safe visiting, that they could really social distance very easily with. And for us, we’re perfectly positioned as a product for that."
Barrett said the Poconos have so many state and federal parks that offer visitors a myriad of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
"You could go whitewater rafting. You could hike. You could bike. You could fish. You can hunt," he said. "So it lends itself to being able to socially distance effectively, but still have a great time enjoying the outdoors."
Barrett said dining spots throughout the region also offer outdoor and socially distanced indoor seating.
He said one of the popular attractions that has returned for the season is the nostalgic passenger trains running through Jim Thorpe.
"They expanded their schedule," Barrett said. "People are just having a wonderful time. Families are there. It’s such a huge asset for Jim Thorpe."
He said communities and businesses in the Poconos have successfully adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
They are now reaching out, Barrett said, to hire for the summer and fall seasons with monthly job fairs beginning in May.