And we have a terrific tour guide to start our journey – WITF-TV’s Explore PA travel program producer Heather Woolridge. Heather takes us on a video tour of several affordable and accessible getaways within a gas tank of the Susquehanna Valley. You can become a tourist in your hometown. No doubt there are historical, cultural and recreational sites right here in the midstate that you have yet to explore. This summer might be the perfect opportunity to satisfy your wanderlust in your own community.

Chris Barrett, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a featured in-studio guest. Barrett last month stumped in Harrisburg for more state tourism funding and said it’s imperative that lawmakers focus taxpayer investments not just on short-term goals but on the commonwealth’s long-term growth. “As the second largest industry in Pennsylvania, travel and tourism is one of those key sectors where modest investments produce large returns in economic growth, tax revenues, and sustainable jobs,” Barrett noted. “In 2007 alone, the industry generated $28 billion in consumer spending, which translated to a hefty $2.8 billion in tax revenues and 400,000 jobs. All this for a state investment of just $28 million.”

Pennsylvania is the fourth-most-visited state in the country. But the tourism industry here is somewhat under siege and is fighting back. Both Governor Rendell and Senate Republicans take a pretty hefty ax in their budget proposals to state spending in travel and tourism to help balance the budget which is $3 billion out of whack. Pennsylvania’s 49 Tourism Promotion Agencies have launched a website and public relations campaign to try to win back the original FY 2008-09 funding level of about $35 million. Rendell’s proposed budget for FY 2009-10 would whittle it to about $20 million.

Mickey Rowley, Deputy Secretary for Tourism, Film and Marketing at the state Department of Community and Economic Development,will join our conversation. Rowley spends a great deal of time promoting Pennsylvania as a travel destination to domestic and international visitors. He makes the argument, as does Chris Barrett, that the return on investment from tourism funding is outstanding. To quote the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau’s talking points this budget cycle, “Travel-related spending in Pennsylvania has increased more than 20 percent since 2002, and this growth has increased state and local tax revenues by 16.5 percent between 2003 and 2007 … And without the tax revenue supplied by the state’s travel sector, estimates show that Pennsylvania households would pay $575 more each year in taxes to maintain current government services.”

Of course Rowley’s job also entails trying to convince visitors “to put heads in beds” and include an overnight stay at a hotel, motel or bed-and-breakfast. So his idea of a staycation might be a bit more expansive and expensive than yours. He makes the pitch that Pennsylvania offers a diversity of regions that each beckons for you to experience by day … and by night.

Genny Volgstadt, Assistant Regional Park Manager for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will offer her suggestions, too. With 117 state parks, 4.5 million acres of public lands, 83,000 miles of streams and rivers, Pennsylvania is blessed with some of the country’s most beautiful natural scenery. Volgstadt will share some tips on booking overnight accommodations and expeditions in the state parks that won’t break your budget or cause you needless headaches. So be sure to tune into Smart Talk Friday night at 8:30 before you decide whether to stay or to go this vacation season.