Visit Bucks County (VBC) recognized five individuals and organizations at the National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) award celebration at Crossing Vineyards and Winery on Tuesday, May 3.
Honorees were nominated by their peers in the local hospitality industry. Each year, the U.S. Travel Association recognizes National Travel & Tourism Week (May 1 to 7). This year’s theme was “Future of Travel.”
Commissioners Robert J. Harvie, Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia and Gene DiGirolamo presented the National Travel & Tourism Week Awards and also recognized the 2021 Tourism Week Award winners in person as last year’s event was virtual.
The 2021 honorees were: Innovative Business Award: Moss Mill Brewing Company, Guest Excellence Award: MaryLou Henderson, Continental Tavern, Hospitality Leadership Award: Sherry Jackson, Candlewood Suites Bensalem-Philadelphia, Rising Star Award: Kelly Doody, Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia NE-Bensalem, and Dedicated Partner Award: Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA).
The 2022 honorees were: Tourism Innovation Award: Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle. Guest Excellence Award: Kathy Cuddihy, Fox and Hound Bed & Breakfast. Hospitality Leadership Award: Joe Ferry, Perkasie Towne Improvement Association & Stephen Barth, Barth Consulting Group. Rising Star Award: Emily Seltzer, River House at Odette’s. Visit Bucks County Award: Brittany Brown, Britt Around Town.
Visit Bucks County Board Chair Sharon Rossi shared key tourism statistics. “In 2020, visitor spending in Bucks County generated $787 million dollars in economic impact and supported 22,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry,” Rossi said.
President/COO of Visit Bucks County, Paul Bencivengo, said January to March 2022 hotel occupancy is up 10% from 2021 with the average daily rate up 23%. The tourism office is still awaiting final April key hotel numbers, but all indicators show positive growth for the month.
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