PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) released its 2013 annual report, which reveals that the region welcomed a record 38.8 million domestic visitors in 2012. Those visitors generate economic impact and taxes for the region and support residents' jobs. Titled The Evolution of a Destination & Its Marketing, the report also emphasizes the major changes in Philadelphia and in marketing since GPTMC began.rn(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130509/PH10965) rn"Philadelphia is a better, more complex destination appealing to more types of travelers and more trip types," said Meryl Levitz , president and CEO of GPTMC. "Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all marketing. Today, we use customized campaigns and many platforms to communicate with travelers where they are and in the ways they want to be reached."rnGPTMC released the 28-page report at its annual Hospitality Leaders Luncheon, held during National Travel & Tourism Week. The Evolution of a Destination & Its Marketing is downloadable at visitphilly.com/annualreport.rnVisitation Numbers:rn38.8 million domestic visitors came to Greater Philadelphia in 2012, an increase of 2.1% over 2011 when 38.0 million people visited.rnSince 1997, the year GPTMC began marketing, the Philadelphia region has seen:rn45% growth in total visitation, an increase of 12 million visitors.rn75% growth in overnight trips, more than twice as fast as day trips.rn80% growth in overnight leisure, the fastest of any visitor segment.rnImpact of the Travel Economy:rnIn 2012, travel to Greater Philadelphia:rnGenerated $27 million in economic impact every day—that's $9.75 billion for the year, an increase of 4.5% over 2011 when the economic impact was $9.34 billion for the year.rnSupported 88,761 jobs, with a $2.94 billion paycheck.rnGenerated $622 million in state ($329 million) and local ($293 million) taxes. That saves regional households $410 a year.rnLeisure Indicators:rn29% of occupied Center City rooms were filled by individual leisure travelers, versus 14% in 1997 when GPTMC began advertising.rnSaturday has been the busiest night of the week for downtown hotels over the past decade with 85% occupancy in 2012.rnIn addition to visitation and economic impact numbers, the report highlights GPTMC's big stories and projects from 2012 and today. Just a few:rnVisitphilly.com is the most-visited destination website of the 10 biggest U.S. cities.rnTwo US Airways magazine features—totaling 160 pages, plus a stunning cover—showed off the region to six million international travelers.rnPeople are raving about the city's vast and vibrant art scene, thanks in part to the citywide With Art Philadelphiaâ„¢ campaign.rnThe Philadelphia Neighborhoods campaign spotlights 14 personality-packed areas that surround Center City. (Mayor Michael Nutter kicked off National Travel & Tourism Week with a trolley tour of three of these neighborhoods on May 6, 2013.)rnRunning throughout the report is a timeline of major milestones illustrates the evolution of Philadelphia as a destination.rnThe Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality.rnFor more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.rnSOURCE Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing CorporationrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://visitphilly.com