Visitor Spending of $587M Is Tops In Catskill Region, Up Nearly 6% Since Prior Year
KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that a newly released state report shows that last year visitor spending in Ulster County increased by almost $33 million from 2016. The county experienced a 5.9% rise in traveler spending, marking the seventh consecutive year that spending has increased. This exceeds the $554 million visitors spent in 2016. Ulster represents nearly half, or 45%, of the region’s tourism sales with $587 million in traveler spending.
Mike Hein, Ulster County Executive
“Ulster County continues to grow as one of New York’s premier travel destinations because there is something here for everyone,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “We are a year-round destination for visitors both near and far with many amazing places to explore, people to meet and things to do. From pre-Revolutionary historic sites to contemporary art, wilderness adventures to world-class cuisine – Ulster County’s farms, forests, rivers, mountains and towns serve up an endless array of options for visitors. And Ulster County’s proximity to the New York metro area makes it not only a convenient weekend destination, but a great location to seek and find unique adventures that are bound to create life-long memories.”
Traveler spending accounts for dollars spent on lodging, recreation, food and beverage, retail and service stations, transportation and second homes. The data comes from a report produced by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company.
The entire Catskills Region (Ulster, Sullivan, Greene and Delaware counties) grew traveler spending to $1.3 billion in 2017. Tourism generated $304 million in labor income in Ulster County including direct and indirect impacts. In 2017, tourism spending in Ulster County alone generated over $71 million in local and state tax revenue, without which the average household in the County would have to pay an additional $1,030 in taxes to maintain the same level of government revenue.
Richard J. Remsnyder, Ulster County Tourism Director
“In 2017, Ulster County launched its ‘Seek for Yourself’ campaign, a fresh, innovative approach to attracting tourism to the County,” said Ulster County Tourism Director Richard J. Remsnyder. “This initiative has sparked an even greater awareness of Ulster County’s premier attractions, farm to table eateries, distilleries and breweries and world-class accommodations. The increase in tourism spending validates the effectiveness of this new campaign. I would like to thank County Executive Hein for his continued support and commitment to strengthening and expanding this important sector of our economy.”
The ‘Seek For Yourself’ marketing campaign was launched last summer by Ulster County Tourism and Ulster County Alive as a comprehensive effort to attract more visitors from all over the world to the County. Ulster County has become a favorite for vacationers due to its proximity to the Catskill Mountains and New York City with thousands of acres of natural areas, varied recreational opportunities, fine dining, a variety of lodging options and its diverse arts, culture and history.
