Steve Byrne, Executive Director, Visit Delco
In an interview with Invest:, Steve Byrne, Executive Director of Visit Delco discussed the organization’s post-pandemic recovery strategies and economic impact. He highlighted how strategic staffing expansions and partnerships are driving tourism growth. “One of the most impactful changes for Visit Delco was beefing up our staff,” Byrne said. “We went from a staff of four to nine, enabling us to secure business.”
Reflecting on the past year, what have been the most impactful developments for Visit Delco?
After putting a new strategy in place with the county a couple of years ago, Visit Delco has really built up its team. We’ve gone from four people to nine thanks to board backing, which means we can do a better job of bringing in business. Things are still a bit slow for hospitality since corporate travel is down, but we’re expecting to bounce back by the end of 2025. To get there, we’ve brought in people who specialize in sports, meeting planners and trade shows to get the word out about the county. Plus, we’re working with all the local colleges and universities to support their events, like parents’ weekends, admissions visits, homecoming etc. There are 12 colleges and universities in Delaware County, all bringing visitors in and we want to make sure their experience is a positive one.
What is the role of tourism in Delco’s broader economic landscape, and how does Visit Delco contribute to strengthening local businesses and workforce opportunities?
We’re all about getting people to visit our county. We are funded by hotel tax and want to make sure visitors have a great time and spend money at our local spots, like restaurants and shops, boosting our economy. We don’t just want them to come once; we want them to come back! People love our wineries, the fact we’re only 20 minutes from Philadelphia and that we work with other cool places nearby. Plus, we’re a hop, skip, and a jump from a huge mall and Longwood Gardens. For folks planning meetings, we’ve got itineraries ready to go. The first thing visitors ask when they get to their hotel is, “Where’s the best place to grab a bite?”
What does the partnership with the Philadelphia PGA Section mean for the county’s tourism and event landscape?
Our 15-year partnership with the Philadelphia PGA — covering courses from Harrisburg to South Jersey — brings tournaments to Delaware County. In 2025, its sectional tournament will be here, with players staying Sunday to Wednesday, boosting midweek visits. In 2026, the PGA Championship comes to Aronimink, and we’ve spent two years securing hotels, parking and local services. At Quail Hollow’s PGA Championship in Charlotte, we connected with international media planning post-Ryder Cup coverage here. The Philadelphia PGA opened these opportunities, and the region’s golf legacy, such as Merion hosting the 2026 U.S. Amateur and recent events at Philadelphia Cricket Club, fuels our momentum.
What trends are you seeing in visitor preferences, and how are you evolving your marketing and programming to stay relevant in the tourism market?
Our leisure travel is booming, especially weddings and youth sports, which are exploding to the point where we need more facilities. After expanding our staff, we’re now turning down sports leads because we lack proper venues. We’re also pursuing group travel business for the first time, discovering new opportunities with organizations we never knew existed. While corporate travel is recovering slower than we’d like, we’re seeing growth in group tours, sports events and meeting planners. It’s about working smarter, attending more trade shows and building partnerships. Every lead counts, so we’re tackling them one at a time to capitalize on these emerging trends in tourism.
Are you seeing more expansion of outdoor activities and new trails?
The pandemic sparked an outdoor revolution here in Delaware County. As Pennsylvania’s fifth most populous county but third-smallest geographically, we’re incredibly dense, which makes our open spaces especially valuable. Residents fiercely protect these areas from development, and we’ve responded by creating more trails and outdoor activities to promote healthy living. You’ll notice walking trails now winding through every new condo or townhouse development. During COVID, we saw firsthand how outdoor exercise improved wellbeing, so we doubled down on promoting our trails. Our website features a ‘Trails Mix’ section highlighting routes countywide, and we created a fun check-in platform where visitors earn Delco swag for exploring different trails. The crown jewel is our 2,100-acre Ridley State Park and Tyler Arboretum, one of the region’s largest green spaces with diverse trails for all abilities. Add in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge bordering Philadelphia near the airport and we’ve got exceptional outdoor assets. It’s about balancing growth with preserving what makes our dense community special – accessible nature right outside everyone’s door.
What are your key goals and priorities for the upcoming two to three years?
Our top priority is driving visitation through strategic marketing, as our hotel tax funding depends on it. Every campaign must deliver a measurable return, whether targeting business travelers, concertgoers or leisure visitors. For example, we partnered with hotels to offer free Uber rides for guests attending major events like Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel concerts, capitalizing on our proximity to Philadelphia’s venues and airport (two-thirds of which sits in Delaware County).
We also focus on organic growth by engaging locals. Residents who love our restaurants and attractions become ambassadors, drawing more visitors through word-of-mouth. Last year, this approach helped attract 4.5 million visitors, generating $840 million in economic impact — a record high. We’re agile: if an initiative works, we scale it; if not, we adapt. From youth sports to concert partnerships, we’re constantly testing ideas to fill hotels and support our hospitality ecosystem. The goal is to keep Delaware County top of mind for travelers and locals alike.
