Each spring, in conjunction with the Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners, Chris Barrett, CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) delivers a comprehensive update on the state of tourism and vacation rentals in the Poconos region. The key takeaway? The Poconos continues to thrive as one of Pennsylvania’s top vacation destinations, with short-term rentals playing a major role in the region’s success.
Hotel tax data remains one of the most reliable indicators of how the market is performing. In 2024, Monroe County led the charge, generating the majority of the region’s lodging tax revenue thanks to a combination of large resorts like Camelback, Kalahari, and Great Wolf, as well as 4,500 to 5,000 active short-term rental properties in Monroe County, Poconos. But counties like Carbon and Wayne saw strong growth too—driven almost entirely by the STR segment. In Carbon County, home to Jim Thorpe and Blue Mountain, STRs are the primary lodging option, and recent years have seen impressive gains in revenue and visitor numbers.
From 2017 to today, total lodging tax revenue in the Poconos has nearly doubled—a testament to the surge in regional travel during and after the pandemic. While the overall growth rate is expected to moderate in 2025, occupancy levels remain strong, particularly in peak summer months, when STRs made up over 50% of the total lodging revenue. That statistic alone reinforces the importance of vacation rentals to the region’s tourism infrastructure—especially given the limited inventory among traditional hotels and resorts.
However, with rising competition comes some softening in average daily rates (ADR) and revenue per available rental (RevPAR). As new resorts and STRs enter the market, property owners are encouraged to use data tools like Key Data and AirDNA to stay competitive—without unnecessarily driving down rates. Historically, a softening economy is good news for the Poconos as people tend to shift their travel to more modest priced destinations when households are stretched thin. In tourism language, the Poconos is viewed as a counter-cyclical to the economy, we do better when families and groups scale back their travel plans. The number of people taking vacations stays steady when finances tighten, they usually find drive-to destinations where activities are free, like parks lakes and rivers of which there are many in the Poconos. This trend may actually keep our ADR and RevPAR numbers strong while other areas that depend on theme parks and travel by flights might see those numbers drop.
Chris Barrett of PMVB suggests one of the best things STR hosts can do is align their efforts with regional advertising and marketing campaigns. The Pocono Television Network (PTN) and digital visitor guides are tools that can help guests explore more, stay longer, and return again. Property owners are encouraged to share PTN with guests via welcome emails or even stream it directly on in-unit TVs. The more connected visitors feel to the region, the more likely they are to return—and recommend it to others. In addition to Poconos TV, PMVB is also investing heavily in data-driven marketing through Amazon Web Services, allowing them to deploy targeted advertising in high-return markets like New York and Philadelphia.
Ultimately, the Poconos’ success is a collaborative effort between STR owners, resort operators, local governments, and tourism advocates. As Chris Barrett put it, “Without short-term rentals, we wouldn’t be able to meet the demand.” As the region continues to grow and evolve, STR operators like you have the opportunity—and responsibility—to help shape the Poconos’ reputation as a premier vacation destination. Stay informed, stay involved, and most importantly, keep creating those unforgettable guest experiences.
More about Tourism Resources from PMVB:
The Pocono Mountains region, encompassing Monroe, Carbon, Pike, and Wayne counties, has experienced significant growth in tourism. According to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau’s Marketing Dashboard, the area welcomed over 28 million visitors in 2023, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. This steady rise in tourism contributed to a record-breaking $4.2 billion in visitor spending, underscoring the region’s appeal as a premier travel destination.
The dashboard also highlights that overnight stays have risen by 6%, with hotel occupancy rates averaging 72% throughout the year. Notably, the summer months of June through August saw peak visitation, aligning with the region’s array of outdoor recreational activities. Additionally, the hospitality sector has expanded, adding over 1,500 jobs to accommodate the growing number of tourists.
These statistics underscore the Pocono Mountains’ robust tourism industry and its vital role in the local economy. For more detailed insights and up-to-date figures, you can visit the official Marketing Dashboard at Pocono Mountains Marketing Dashboard.
For more information about supporting the Vacation Rental Industry, please join the Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners.
