Fostering Sustainable Growth in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest (ANF)

The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) region is in northwestern Pennsylvania's Warren, McKean, Forest, Cameron, and Elk counties, and covers over 500,000 acres of varied terrain and is the state's only national forest. It features forests, waterways, and landmarks like the Kinzua Bridge State Park and the Allegheny Reservoir. Tourism in the ANF region holds great potential for economic, social, and environmental benefits and is popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.

While most tourism research focuses on either tourists' or residents' perceptions of a region or local impacts, researchers from West Virginia University, Penn State, and local collaborators drew on both perspectives by surveying visitors from the closest major metropolitan areas (Erie, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, PA; Buffalo, Rochester, and New York City, NY) and residents of the ANF region.

This article shares key findings from these surveys and recommends steps for supporting a sustainable tourism industry in the ANF.

Visitors' Demographics and Preferences

The surveys show that affordability and access to natural attractions are key drivers for tourism.

• Travel Type: Nearly two-thirds of visitors stay overnight, with one-quarter choosing to camp. Others prefer hotels (23%) or vacation rentals (20%).
• Age and Income: Most visitors are aged 18 to 44, and three-quarters report annual household incomes below $100,000.
• Group Composition and Spending: Visitors often travel in pairs or groups of three to five, spending around $300 or less per trip.
• Activities and Destinations: Popular spots include Kinzua Bridge State Park, the Allegheny River, and Elk County Visitor Center, with outdoor recreation and natural scenery topping their lists of activities.

Residents' Perspectives on Tourism

Local resident respondents, predominantly aged 45 and older, value tourism but express concerns about its impact. While residents appreciate the region's authentic, rural character and recreational resources, they point to key areas for improvement:

• Economic Weaknesses: Limited investment in tourism development and a lack of high-paying jobs and career opportunities in the sector.
• Leadership and Infrastructure: Organizational leadership and insufficient infrastructure hinder the region's ability to capitalize on tourism growth sustainably.
• Environmental Priorities: Residents strongly value environmental protection and advocate for the careful management of natural resources to preserve the area's ecological integrity.

Key Challenges for Sustainable Development

Balancing tourism growth and sustainability requires addressing several challenges:

• Environmental Management: Both residents and visitors rank environmental quality and natural resource protection as top priorities.
• Economic Opportunities: Growing tourism needs to translate into meaningful economic benefits for local communities through job creation and business development.
• Community Support and Leadership: Strengthening local leadership and engaging community members are critical to ensuring long-lasting benefits from tourism.

Recommendations for Local Stakeholders

Based on the survey findings, some practical steps that local stakeholders can take to foster sustainable tourism in the ANF region are:

Enhance Infrastructure

• Develop and maintain important amenities, such as lodgings, restaurants, and roadways.
• At the same time, invest in eco-friendly facilities to reduce environmental impacts and align with visitor preferences.

Improve Marketing and Promotion

• Highlight the region's outdoor recreation opportunities through targeted campaigns.
• Leverage partnerships with local and regional organizations to expand outreach efforts.

Engage the Community

• Incorporate residents' feedback into tourism planning processes to address their concerns and foster community support.

Support Economic Growth

• Provide training and resources for local businesses to participate in tourism-related activities, such as guided tours or regional product sales.
• Develop public-private partnerships to attract investment and create job opportunities.

Monitor and Plan for Long-Term Growth

• Establish the tracking of sustainability indicators to track tourism's impact on the economy, environment, and quality of life in the region.
• Implement long-term strategies to manage negative impacts, such as crowding or resource degradation.

More Resources

To learn more about the survey findings and explore additional insights, download the full ANF Findings Summary factsheet and the detailed Visitor Survey Report and Resident Survey Report.

Funding Acknowledgement: USDA AFRI (#2022-68006-3645), USDA McIntire Stennis Program (#WVA00803), USDA Multistate Hatch Project (NE2251), USDA NIFA (#2022-51150-38139) and the Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences.

This article has been reviewed by Kristen Devlin, Communications Specialist, NERCRD