Antiquing as a Tourism Recreational Activity in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Abstract

An economic impact study of travel and tourism in southwestern Pennsylvania iden tified 25 travel-related activities and associated visitor expenditures. Purchases of antiques appeared to be understated, therefore antiquing was included as a separate recreational activity in the second year of the study. All regional expenditures made by nonresident visitors were entered into an input-output model of the region. The majority of antique shops in the region belong to four cooperatives or antiquing centers. Annual visitation totaled 278,352 for the retail antiquing trade and was evenly split among residents and nonresidents. Nonresident visitors spent an average of $32.47 per activity day. The value-added component of the economic impact totaled $3.36 million, and 149 jobs were supported. The pursuit of antiques supported the consumption of regional goods and services and the generation of additional income and spending.