Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched New York’s $60 million tourism campaign at the New York State Tourism Summit in Albany, to make the industry grow, create jobs and attract more visitors to the state.
“New York State has some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world. From the peaks of the Adirondacks to the beaches of Long Island, no matter what you’re looking for you can find it here,” Governor Cuomo said. “I want the world to know about these assets, too, and am committed to making the State a ‘must see’ global destination and creating new jobs and investments in New York.”
The governor discussed a series of initiatives designed to make New York State the tourism capital of the world:
• The state would invest nearly $60 million in tourism funding.
• Under the partnership, the MTA and Port Authority will provide $2 million dollars’ worth of advertising space on subways, bus and commuter rail systems and at airport arrival points and kiosks to promote Upstate tourism.
• The state will create a Sports and Special Events Commission. The commission will be charged with recruiting sporting and other special events to venues across the state – and competing for part of the $600 billion global sports tourism industry.
• New welcome centers at border and interstate crossings will serve as hubs of information about the state’s tourism assets and attractions. New signs showcasing local attractions will also be placed.
• Taste NY products will be sold at several rest stops across the state. There will also be a Taste NY tent at this year’s PGA tournament in Rochester, selling and sampling Made in NY products to visitors.
• The ILOVENY ASIA and ILOVENY SOUTH AMERICA campaign will invite international travelers to New York State and have a presence in emerging markets such as China and Brazil. There will be state representatives in parts of Asia and South America to promote New York as a top travel destination and help plan itineraries.
• Empire State Development will be a clearinghouse for tourism metrics, offering New York’s businesses a place to go for information on how to best market to visitors and attract tourists.
• The Times Square Alliance has agreed to give New York space at the Visitors Center to help market state attractions to tourists.
• The governor issued I Love NY LGBT niche tourism initiative to market New York State to the LGBT community.
The summit follows a series of other initiatives spearheaded by Governor Cuomo, including New York Open for Fishing and Hunting, Path Through History, Wine, Beer and Spirits tourism and the Adirondack Challenge.
Visit www.iloveny.com.