“I [Snowmobile] NY” part of nationwide, $4.5 million winter tourism campaign

On Monday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo travelled to the Tug Hill region in the North Country to launch “I [Snowmobile] NY,” the first part of a print, television, radio and digital, nationwide, $4.5 million winter tourism campaign aimed at promoting snowmobiling, skiing, and other recreational activities in Upstate New York. To view a sample of the print ads,click here.

“This season, we welcome visitors from around the world to experience winter in Upstate New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “The North Country region is unmatched in its natural beauty and now offers new recreational trails for snowmobiling and a wide variety of other activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages to explore. As one of the biggest and growing employers in the state, the tourism industry continues to play a significant role in boosting our economy. With our new ad campaign, we want more New Yorkers and tourists to come visit regions like Tug Hill to see what winter adventures await in the Empire State.”

The print and digital “I [Snowmobile] NY” ads will begin running after January 1, 2014, in national newspapers and trade magazines.

Earlier this month, the State released a report showing that the number of visitors to New York increased by 8.8 million, a 4.2% increase in 2013. In addition, the industry is projected to generate $7.7 billion in state and local taxes with direct spending expected to reach $61.3 billion, up 7% from 2012 and double the national average. The industry is also projected to add 24,800 jobs by the end of the year, a 3.1% increase from 2012, also double the national average. In total, leisure and hospitality is projected to finish the year with 818,700 jobs, making tourism the third fastest growing job sector in New York.

There are 10,300 miles of snowmobile trails throughout New York—that’s more than Vermont, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, and more than Massachusetts and Michigan combined. Since 2011, the state has spent more than $11 million for trail maintenance and development, an investment that has helped generate $868 million in economic revenue. Approximately 90,000 New York households snowmobile.

The “I [Snowmobile] NY” ad campaign continues Governor Cuomo’s unprecedented commitment to promoting tourism and supporting economic development in the North Country in order to generate revenue and create jobs. Over the last three years, the Governor has focused on rebuilding the North Country tourism economy through actions such as:

• Presiding over the state’s largest land purchase—69,000 acres of the former Finch Pruyn and other Nature Conservancy lands throughout the Adirondacks
• Announcing his intention to approve the land classification for 42,000 acres recently added to the Adirondack Park that would enable creation of new snowmobile connector trails on formerly inaccessible land.
• Providing $12 million in state funding for vital repairs along the eight-mile Whiteface Mountain Veterans’ Memorial Highway, in Wilmington, New York.
• Establishing a partnership between the State, Clarkson University, and the Trudeau Institute to form a world-class biotech enterprise

In addition, this summer, Governor Cuomo held various high-profile events to highlight locations in Upstate New York as world-class tourism destinations. On July 21 and 22, the Governor hosted the first ever Adirondack Challenge, a two day festival with a whitewater challenge featuring the Governor, New York officials, and members of the media. On August 8, the Governor also attended the BassMasters Tournament in the Thousand Islands, which drew more than 34,100 people to the four day event. There, he announced that the 2014 BassMaster Elite Series will return to New York in 2014, including the “Governor’s Challenge,” a fishing competition featuring the Governor, elected officials from New York State and some of the biggest names in professional fishing to highlight the state’s many fishing and vacation opportunities.

Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has made growing the job-creating, revenue-producing tourism industry – especially Upstate – a top priority. In May, Governor Cuomo kicked off the state’s tourism efforts by hosting the Tourism Summit in Albany, where he announced $60 million in tourism funding – the highest level of tourism funding in decades – as well as other initiatives including: a new I Love NY marketing campaign with the Port Authority and MTA, Taste NY marketing efforts, an international tourism campaign, I Love NY in Times Square, and I Love NY LGBT.