Tourism is a big industry for New York. According to recent state statistics, the New York tourism industry generated $59.2 billion in direct spending, which produced an estimated $7.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2013. The industry also is reportedly growing.

The number of visitors to New York increased to 218.8 million in 2013—an 8.8 million increase from the previous year. Economic studies indicate that as many as one out of every 12 jobs is related to tourism. New York also added jobs in the tourism industry to create a total of 832,500 jobs. Wages paid were estimated to be $17.96 billion.

All of this is good news for our localities and the state economy as well. There are many events locally that fuel these numbers including local Jazz Fests, Harborfest, county fairs, and the Great New York State Fair. In fact, Fodors, a respected travel advisor, recently named the NYS Fair one of the top 10 state fairs in the nation. Last year, the 10-day event drew more than one million visitors. Harborfest in Oswego draws a crowd of more than 150,000 each year during the last weekend in July. Harborfest alone is estimated to bring in $31 million every year to the community. In addition, the Seaway Trail continues to draw in thousands of visitors to our waterways and surrounding businesses all across the shores of Oswego and Jefferson counties.

The state reinvested in its old I LOVE NY slogan in 2009. Visitors to iloveny.com can view a number of interests within various regions of the state. Historical sites are among those featured, and so are wineries, both of which can be found in Central New York. This month, the state coordinated the Path Through History weekends. Several organizations held special events in an effort to attract more tourists. Many organizations and individuals are dedicated to preserving our rich history, which includes the Erie Canal and Fort Ontario. The New York State Wine and Grape Foundation estimated that in 2008 there were 4.98 million wine-related tourist visits in New York that produced wine-related tourism expenditures totaling $376.5 million. Micro-beer breweries and cider producers are attracting many visitors as well. Legislation that passed both the Senate and the Assembly, but has yet to be signed by the Governor, would streamline laws that govern the craft beer and cider industry and provide them with greater opportunities to market their products. I was pleased to support removing unnecessary restrictions in the Assembly.

In this year’s budget, we made $3.8 million available in local tourism matching grants. We also set aside $5 million for Market NY. Market NY is a new program that supports regionally-themed New York focused projects. It was created last year to help promote destinations, attractions, and special events. Past Market NY projects include $198,000 for the Finger Lakes Beer Trail, $180,000 for the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) Energy Exhibit, and $247,500 for a multi-use sports facility at the Willis Carrier Recreation Center (Town of DeWitt).

While the past year showed visits to New York were up, we need to continue to bolster tourism efforts. This is one area where the state can make a meaningful difference by promoting our natural attributes, festivals, sports attractions, and fairs, as well as our agricultural industries like wineries and breweries that attract many from out of state. All of these collaborative efforts go to help the local and state economies as well, and provide more for the people who live, work, and pay taxes here. To learn more, visit the Seaway Trail Web site and www.iloveny.com.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or by calling (315) 598-5185. You also may find me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.