PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — 2020 was a lost year for tourism in Philadelphia. But industry leaders are optimistic that visitors will return in big numbers later this year. They're already trickling in.
Kevin Virgil brought his wife and two children up from Washington, D.C. for a mid-week escape from the inaugural frenzy.
"We love it. I've come here many times but my kids have never been here, never saw the Liberty Bell or any other sites," he said.
"We just went to the Reading Market and loaded them up on candy so we're fueled up and ready to go. I think we're gonna go to Independence Hall then down to South Street for some cheesesteaks, then maybe just walk around."
In 2019, a record 46 million people visited the City of Brotherly Love. Then came the pandemic and a subsequent 40% dropoff.
But Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of tourism organization Visit Philly, sees things pointing in the right direction again, with the reopening of museums, parts of Independence National Historical Park and the return of indoor dining. There are also a slew of accolades the city received last year.
"National Geographic Traveller said out of all the destinations in the U.S. that you have to visit, Philadelphia is the place," he said.
"Then comes Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, Food and Wine. All of this national and international press which is trusted in the travel industry saying that people need to discover Philadelphia."
Guaracino indicated Visit Philly has a multi-layered strategy for pulling in vacationers.
"What the current estimates show is that Americans this year will choose to travel within the U.S. versus taking a cruise or a European trip, and they think that there's 120 million domestic U.S. trips that are up for grabs," he said.
Visit Philly will also encourage people who live in the region to take a staycation.
"Get a hotel room, see the Bell, go see the halls," implored Guaracino. "Discover a different neighborhood or a restaurant that you haven't seen before."