Officials see need for diversified tourism approach in down year for World Series’ visitor numbers
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While the Little League World Series serves as a major tourism attraction and commercial boost for the area, it is certainly not the only attraction.
Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Fink noted that the pandemic has not stopped people from enjoying activities at state parks and forests.
"There has been a renewed focus on outdoors activities," he said. "With our abundance of outdoor amenities, you see a lot of people coming in to enjoy those things such as hiking, fishing and other activities. You got people taking advantage of that now."
State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, agreed.
"We have a lot of outdoor activities. They can still come to Lycoming County," he said.
Fink noted that work continues on development of a 28-acre site in the city for a baseball complex geared toward sports tourism.
Six fields are being planned for Little League baseball and softball play and a seventh for Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology.
"That is still a year away," Fink said. "That should hopefully be in play for 2023."
He said he was encouraged by the large turnout of people to downtown Williamsport for First Friday Aug. 6.
"People want to do stuff," he said.
On the other hand, with the pandemic ongoing, many people remain hesitant to travel, and Lycoming County has felt that economic withdrawal, Fink noted.
"Just general business travel and given where we are located, we aren't back yet. People aren't traveling," he said.
Eventually, things are expected to come back to normal, however.
With next year marking the 75th anniversary of the Little League World Series, Fink is hopeful for a return to the pre-pandemic days when hundreds of thousands of people come to Williamsport for the event.
He feels the two years when the Series has been either canceled or limited in attendance will not hurt the Series in future years.
"I don't think it will be a big impact to Little League," he said.
Ongoing COVID-19 concerns this year meant no foreign teams competing in the annual baseball youth tournament and the general public prohibited from attending the games.
Fink said far less money will be pumped into the area economy than the more than $30 million the weeklong series usually is estimated to bring.
"I don't see it being anywhere near what it was in the past," he said.
The good news is that the Series returned following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, although it was limited to American entries.
"It is obviously going to impact small businesses in the area significantly," Wheeland said.
The annual kick-off parade, which draws thousands of people pouring into downtown Williamsport on the eve of the Series, was canceled this year. Original plans called for limiting the number of fans allowed at games to just 3,000, but on Aug. 13, less than a week before the first pitch of the Series, Little League officials announced attendance would be restricted to families of players.
Fewer people means less money being spent with the many area businesses, which see some of their busiest times during the tournament.
"It's not going to be the numbers like you've seen in the past," Fink said, even before Little League decided to limit fans to families.
Eve Waldman, assistant manager for Genetti Hotel, said all rooms there were sold out for the weekend with Little League families taking up much of the lodging.
"For the most part, we can't complain considering all the changes," she said. "We are just pleased they are having the World Series."
Windows on Fourth, the newly opened restaurant at the Genetti, has been doing well, she added.
"We have dinners seven days a week," she said. "We have been loving it."
Wheeland said he's hopeful the better days are around the corner.
"I don't have a crystal ball," he said. "I would certainly like to think the worst is behind us, but we just have to be vigilant and patient."