The decision to keep Harley-Davidson in York has a tourism impact beyond just keeping its popular factory tour in town, according to tourism officials.

"Harley is really an anchor store in our town's tourism industry mall," said Anne Druck, president of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The company's board of director voted Thursday morning to approve a contract with its York union that will keep the motorcycle manufacturer in York.

That means a town known as the "Factory Tour Capital of the World" gets to keep its "crown jewel" tour, Druck said, and that benefits all the other factory tours.

And for motorcycle enthusiasts, Harley is a must-see destination, said Jason Fink, president of the state tourism board. People attending bike rallies around the state are likely to make a stop in York to see Harley, Fink said.

It's a "big selling point" for Pennsylvania to have such a famous motorcycle manufacturer around, Fink said, especially one that has such a faithful following.

"There's a certain culture with Harley-Davidson," Fink said.

Although Druck said there aren't specific financial numbers on Harley's tourism draw, she said it's a "significant impact."

Visitors identify Harley with York, Druck said. The plant has brought in visitors worldwide, from as many as 30 countries a year.

It gives York an identity much the same as the Civil War battlefields do for Gettysburg and the Amish do for Lancaster, she said.

"They really are an icon. They have huge brand identity," Druck said of Harley. "Our customers identify it with our community."