Pocono News Section

Local Spot Earns Tourism Distinction

Local Spot Earns Tourism Distinction - Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 3:35PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 @ 03:35pm EST
DELAWARE WATER GAP, MONROE COUNTY - As the weather gets nicer, it's time to start thinking about vacations. One local vacation spot earned a place on a prestigious list.

Clyde and Judy Myers love to escape to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Clyde said, "We've come up to enjoy this area and we really like it."

The couple enjoys the sounds of peace there; the leaves under their feet on the hiking trails, the babbling brooks, and the rushing waterfalls.

They also love the short drive from their home in Hamburg. "It took about an hour and 15 minutes so it's really not far at all," said Clyde.

Clyde and Judy aren't alone. More than 5 million people visited the Recreation Area last year. So many guests, that it made the Forbes list of "America's 25 most visited tourists sites." It's number 14.

This year the recreation area moved up two spots on that list. Park officials think it's because more people are trying to vacation closer to home to save money.

"They're staying local. They're driving. They're camping. They're hiking. They're doing things that fit in their budget a lot better," said Ginger Turiello. She manages the Village Farmer and Bakery. She told Eyewitness News the tourism increase is great for business. The shop sits just outside of the Recreation Area. She laughed, "Hopefully we'll see more and more people. We love that."

It looks like the cheap vacation trend could lead to sweet success at the bakery and other Pocono businesses.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area runs from Upper Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County through Milford in Pike County.