HONESDALE, PA — It’s no surprise that tourism is the largest industry in the Poconos. And it’s just received a nearly $200,000 boost for the coming year.

The Wayne County Commissioners, Wayne County Hotel Tax Board and Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau announced the new funding at the commissioners’ March 28 meeting. The Tourism Project Disbursement Allocation Program distributes revenue from the Wayne County hotel tax to nonprofit organizations and events that attract tourists to the area. Genni Reese and Vicky Botjer of the Wayne County Tourism Committee said when the program first started about six years ago, it could afford to give away only around $30,000, and each project had a $2,000 cap. Over the past few years, the program has grown more than six-fold, funding more than $780,000 total in awards.

The program sets up a virtuous cycle: Travelers pay a hotel tax when they rent lodging in the area. This tax funds organizations and events—such as The Taste of the Poconos in Newfoundland and the Roots and Rhythm festival in Honesdale—that in turn create more overnight stays. “For every tourism dollar spent, it brings $3 into the county,” Resse said.

Organizations such as the Wayne County Historical Society, Lacawac Sanctuary and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church also received funding.

“This program brings positive impacts to all parts of the county, and [we] see an increase in lodging,” she continued. “To see the list that they are presenting today is very exciting.”

In total, the Tourism Project Disbursement Allocation Program approved $191,802 for 28 events and nonprofit organizations in 2024. (See sidebar for the complete list.)