The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA), has unveiled its joint 2023 Annual Report, spotlighting key achievements showcasing the successes of Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality sector over the past year on the steady comeback to pre-pandemic levels.

In 2023, Philadelphia hosted 264 events booked by the PHLCVB, including 20 citywide conventions — events that generated more than 2,000 hotel room bookings on their peak night. These events attracted a combined attendance of 550,136 individuals, resulting in the booking of 563,400 hotel room nights and delivering an economic impact exceeding $380 million to the city.

Championing the success of the industry, Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the PHLCVB, remarked, “We are thrilled to witness the upward trajectory across all sectors of our industry, especially as we anticipate the hosting of numerous major events in Philadelphia in the coming years. Last year’s accomplishments are a testament to the collaborative efforts of our industry partners in bolstering Philadelphia’s position as a premier destination, supporting over 73,500 jobs in the hospitality sector within Philadelphia County.”

John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the PCCA, highlighted the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s pivotal role in hosting 144 events last year, welcoming more than 860,000 attendees. In 2023, the PCCA significantly upgraded its building, including capital projects, Wi-Fi upgrades, and certification for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Star reaccreditation.

“The significant investments made to the facility in 2023 reflect our continued commitment to the mission of fostering a service-oriented culture and investing in state-of-the-art technology to enhance the customer experience,” said McNichol.

The PHLCVB also had several booking successes in 2023. Philadelphia has been chosen by the Professional Conference Management Association (PCMA) to host the 2026 Convening Leaders, an annual meeting of the world’s top business events professionals that will showcase the city as a destination for future events. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is bringing its annual international convention back to Philadelphia in 2027, citing the city’s position as a leading hub for life sciences innovation as a primary reason. The convention was last held in Philadelphia in 2019.

Serving as the official global tourism agency for the City of Philadelphia, the PHLCVB maintains a presence in 10 international markets. In 2023, the PHLCVB expanded from five to 10 international markets, adding offices in Australia, Canada, Italy/Spain, Netherlands/Belgium, and Scandinavia.

In 2023, Philadelphia experienced a robust recovery in international tourism, with more than 1.1 million visitors contributing to an economic impact surpassing $955.9 million. Notable among these were visitors from Canada (548.1K), the United Kingdom (91K), India (60K), Germany (39.4K), and China (29.7K). This year, international markets are projected to drive just under 1.3 million overnight visits to Philadelphia — 13.9 percent higher than 2023 and eventually exceeding 2019’s levels, according to Tourism Economics.

To delve deeper into the comprehensive insights provided in the annual report, read the full report at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.