On April 7, 2026, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) and Visit Philadelphia hosted their joint 2026 Tourism Outlook event at the National Constitution Center.
The event spotlighted what’s next for Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality industry following what is anticipated to be a notable year for the city in 2026.
New data shared by Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, reinforced this outlook, pointing to a strong rebound for Philadelphia’s visitor economy in 2026. Following a challenging 2025, when international visitation declined by 13.8% overall and 23.3% from Canada, the city is projected to see renewed growth. International travel to Philadelphia is expected to increase by 4.5% in 2026, including a 4.1% gain from Canada, supported in part by major global events such as FIFA World Cup 26™.
Visit Philadelphia says it has spent several years preparing for increased global visibility, focusing on how visitors discover and experience the city. Initiatives include the launch of a centralized events platform, efforts to strengthen digital presence among local businesses and partnerships with neighborhoods such as Germantown, Chinatown and Africatown to develop new visitor experiences.
“The best way to make the most of the opportunity 2026 presents is by equipping our partners, businesses and neighborhoods with the tools and knowledge they need to put their best foot forward to visitors,” said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia.
“That’s why Visit Philadelphia takes a holistic approach to tourism marketing, developing initiatives like the Philadelphia Hospitality Symposium, Destination Optimization program and the 2026 badge. Our civic pride and strong sense of community always shine through when our industry works together, and now the world gets to see that in action.”
The organization will also host its third annual Hospitality Symposium on April 20, bringing together regional industry professionals to support readiness ahead of the summer season. Visit Philadelphia is marking its 30th anniversary this year, noting that leisure visitation has grown nearly 70% since 1997, from 22.7 million to more than 38 million annual visitors.
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau outlines parallel efforts to expand meetings, conventions and major events business while increasing international visitation through targeted campaigns in 10 global markets.
“This year is a critical inflection point for Philadelphia as we are about to step into one of the most visible tourism moments for our city,” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the PHLCVB. “Philadelphia’s visitor economy is built on collaboration, and together we are leveraging this moment to ensure the continued success of our industry, our city and its residents.”
Philadelphia’s hotel sector is also forecast to strengthen. Center City occupancy is projected to rise 2.8% year over year, while total hotel revenue is expected to increase 6.3%. Growth will be driven in part by an anticipated 5.3% increase in average daily rate (ADR), with the strongest gains expected in the second and third quarters, alongside continued demand recovery. Group business room nights are expected to grow 2.8%, complemented by a 1.2% increase in leisure travel.
Following a year filled with major sporting events, 2027 will welcome the return of America’s Game, the Army-Navy Game, to Lincoln Financial Field. NCAA basketball will also return to Philadelphia with the DI Women’s Basketball Regional, plus DI, DII and DIII Men’s Lacrosse Championships and DI Women’s Lacrosse Championship. Looking ahead, Philadelphia is a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, once again placing the city at the center of the national spotlight. The PHLCVB has more than $1 billion in economic impact already on the books from confirmed event business through 2030.
Top Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
