Paul Bencivengo, President/CEO, Visit Bucks County

Paul Bencivengo, president and CEO of Visit Bucks County, sat down with Invest: to discuss shifting traveler behaviors, budget challenges, and partnerships with local stakeholders, while unveiling plans to capitalize on the 2026 World Cup and promote the county’s rich historical and cultural offerings. 

What changes over the past year have most influenced tourism in Bucks County?

Bucks County is a destination for all seasons. Bucks County was named the No. 1 fall destination in the United States in 2024, and in 2025, we ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in Pennsylvania. We lean heavily on fall messaging and have seen direct correlations with increased occupancy after our mention by Priceline and many national publications in 2024. As a seasonal destination, our fall and holiday events continue to draw strong visitation even after peak summer season when schools are back in session. Some of these fall events include leaf peeping, hayrides rides, corn mazes, fun festivals as well as our small towns, shops, restaurants and B&Bs, as well as attractions like Shady Brook Farm, Sesame Place and Peddler’s Village. One of our most popular tourist-friendly towns, New Hope, has also gone through a revitalization over the past few years attracting an affluent audience looking for a getaway close to New York.

From a marketing perspective, Visit Bucks County continues to focus on video, digital strategy and influencer marketing at a time when social media and digital continue to dominate the market.

How have traveler behaviors and visitor expectations shifted in recent years?

We’ve seen shorter booking windows and reduced trip lengths, though visitation remains strong. Travelers are increasingly making last-minute decisions, driven by a desire for flexibility, unpredictable global events, and financial caution. Despite this, visitation remains strong, indicating that while travelers may be more cautious, they are still eager to explore — just on their own terms. While the way people travel is evolving, interest in travel remains strong. To stay competitive, destinations and businesses must be responsive, agile, and aligned with traveler values — offering convenience, flexibility, and authentic, experience-rich offerings that resonate with today’s visitors.

How is tourism performing in Bucks County?

Bucks County welcomed 8.4 million visitors in 2024, a 2.4% increase over 2023, with higher spending as well. When people come and spend their dollars here, they spend the most on food and beverage, followed by lodging, transportation, and retail. The overall economic impact increased, which led to an increase in our hospitality workforce of 29,000. Through the summer of 2025, occupancy and ADR remain strong as we head into fall and holiday season.

How do partnerships with local business, chambers and community groups help to strengthen the county as a tourist destination? 

We bring the stories of these businesses to consumers through social media reels and video content that are saved across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to build itineraries. We support small businesses through efforts like the tourism grant program, product development initiatives, and the Bucks County Ale Trail — all part of our role as the lead marketing resource for strategic content that drives visitation.

Collaboration with business associations and economic development agencies that support the hospitality sector remains essential to our success. Rising food and labor costs continue to be the top concern among hospitality businesses — 68% of respondents identified this issue in our most recent industry survey. We actively share these insights with partners such as the county’s workforce development board and the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association to help inform their planning and advocacy. To navigate budget uncertainties, we work closely with Tourism Economics and local stakeholders to forecast revenues and adapt our strategies accordingly. 

A key local partnership is the Bucks County Tourism Grant Program, a collaboration with the County of Bucks where a portion of the occupancy tax is set aside for a once-a-year grant program to support tourism and hospitality businesses.

Our approach is grounded in data, and competitive analysis shows that Bucks County performs strongly not only in the fall but also during the holiday season. For many visitors looking to escape the hustle of metropolitan areas, Bucks offers a quintessential ‘Hallmark town’ experience during the holidays — complete with charming streetscapes, seasonal events, and a welcoming atmosphere.

We bring the stories of these businesses to consumers through social media reels and video content that are saved across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to build itineraries.

With the World Cup coming to nearby cities like Philadelphia and New York, how is Bucks County positioning itself to take advantage of the increased tourism and visibility? 

Ideally situated between two major World Cup host cities, Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) and New York (MetLife Stadium), Bucks County offers a unique advantage for visitors looking to experience the global excitement of the tournament while enjoying a more relaxed setting with plenty to see and do. Bucks County is at the center of the World Cup and an ideal location for those looking to attend matches in both locations. With convenient access to both cities via regional highways as well as some transit options, Bucks County can serve as a home base for fans attending matches. There is international brand recognition of Sesame Place, located in Bucks County, that will attract visitors to this region and the many other things to see and do here.

How is your team balancing digital marketing with in-person outreach? 

Our team takes a strategic, integrated approach to balancing digital marketing with in-person outreach by aligning both with the broader marketing funnel, from brand awareness to conversion, and tailoring efforts to resonate with different demographic segments.

Digital channels remain central to our brand consideration strategy, particularly for reaching Gen Z and Millennials, who are far more likely to engage with content through platforms like social media, streaming, and Connected TV. As audiences continue to move away from traditional broadcast media, we’ve prioritized these digital touchpoints in our target markets to build brand awareness where our audiences are already spending their time. Paid search also plays a role in this mix, helping to capture demand and drive measurable actions.

At the same time, we recognize the continued value of in-person, grassroots outreach — especially within key segments like group travel, meetings, and weddings. These areas benefit from human connection, relationship-building, and local engagement. To support this, we’ve evolved from a traditional brick-and-mortar Visitor Center model to a more flexible, mobile Visitor Center that operates in-market and out-of-market, attending 60 events a year. This allows us to not only welcome visitors where they are but also to actively move them around once they arrive, enhancing their experience and deepening their connection with the destination.

Together, our digital and in-person strategies are designed to complement each other, creating a seamless, audience-first approach that meets travelers at every stage of their journey.