Governor Cuomo Announces Success of 2018 Adirondack Challenge

Nearly 244 Million Visitors Traveled to New York State, Supporting Economic Impact of More Than $100 Billion for Fourth Straight Year

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the success of the 2018 Adirondack Challenge, promoting the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the North Country. More than 350 elected officials and community members, including Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul—participated in this year’s Challenge to showcase outdoor activities visitors to the region can enjoy and experience. While at the Challenge, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled that the New York State’s tourism industry generated new records for total visitation, economic impact and direct spending in 2017. The Lieutenant Governor also announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament will return to Waddington, St. Lawrence County this summer between August 23-26.
 

The 2018 Adirondack Challenge welcomed more than 350 guests, including state and local officials and tourism industry leaders to Hamilton and Warren Counties for a day of outdoor activities that showcase the region. Events hosted today included: whitewater rafting on the Indian River; horseback riding and a guided three-mile hike through the newly-acquired Boreas Pond region; a 130-mile motorcycle ride through picturesque Adirondack communities; mountain biking through the Indian River tract of the Essex Chain Lakes; nine holes of golf at Cedar River Golf Club in Indian Lake; and kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. The day concluded with a Taste NY food and beverage reception at Gore Mountain.
 

PHOTOS of the Challenge participants in various events are available here.
 

2017 Tourism

New York State’s tourism industry generated new records for total visitation, economic impact and direct spending in 2017. Supported by the governor’s unprecedented investments in tourism statewide, New York State welcomed a record-high 243.8 million visitors who generated an economic impact of $108.7 billion – exceeding $100 billion for the fourth straight year. In addition, direct visitor spending reached an all-time high of $67.6 billion. These figures each represent a more than four percent increase over 2016.
 

• Visitation: 243.8 million 
  New York State welcomed 243.8 million visitors in 2017, nearly 5 million more than the previous year. This represents a nearly 18 percent increase since the Governor took office in 2011.
   
• Economic Impact: $108.7 billion
  The total economic impact of tourism statewide reached a record $108.7 billion, exceeding $100 billion for the fourth straight year – an increase of nearly $22 billion from 2011.
   
• Direct Spending: $67.6 billion
  Visitors to New York State in 2017 generated $67.6 billion in direct spending, nearly $3 billion more than 2016, and almost $14 billion more than in 2011.
   
• State and Local Taxes: $8.5 billion
  New York State tourism generated $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2017, a more than 3.6 percent increase over 2016, saving each household an average of $1,172 in taxes.
   
• Employment: 938,800 jobs
  Tourism is now the third largest private sector employer in the state, supporting 938,800 jobs last year, according to the New York State Department of Labor.  
   

Additionally, passenger counts at all New York State airports increased by 2.3 percent in 2017, complemented by a nearly four percent jump in hotel room demand.
 
Last year, more than 12.4 million people visited the Adirondack region – over 460,000 visitors more than in 2016 – generating more than $1.4 billion in direct visitor spending. This represents a 5.5 percent spending increase over the previous year, and a 24 percent increase since 2011. In addition, regional tourism generated $178 million in State and local taxes.