The travel and tourism industry promotes an understanding and appreciation of the scenic beauty, history, culture and quality of life in the Hudson Valley. It is vitally important, contributing to our employment and economic prosperity, international trade and relations, peace, understanding and good will.
Every citizen benefits from the effects of travel and tourism. The industry substantially enhances our personal growth and education while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of the Hudson Valley”™s geography, history, and culture.
The Hudson River Valley region extends from Westchester and Rockland to Albany and Rensselaer counties. Its abundance of historic landmarks, arts venues, restaurants and farms, festivals and innate natural beauty, makes Hudson Valley ideal for visitors planning day trips or longer getaways. The region is easily accessible by car, train, bus and air. In fact, visitors spend more than $4.7 billion in the valley.
Hudson Valley Tourism Inc. is a destination marketing organization that brings tourism dollars to area businesses by marketing and promoting the assets of the region to the nation and the world. The 10 county tourism directors have been working cooperatively for more than 25 years and yet the funding to sustain a vital marketing campaign is lacking support from both I Love New York and regional agencies.
Agritourism on rise
A number of targeted marketing programs carry our message to leisure travelers including couples, families, and friends; business travelers; parents of area college students and a wide variety of group travelers. An effective public relations program complements the seasonal advertising campaigns. Seasonal advertising campaigns and brochure ads for newspapers, magazines and travel publications reached millions of readers worldwide.
In response to those inquires, Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. distributed three different publications, primarily the Travel Guide, Hudson Valley Winery map and Hudson River Valley river guide
Agritourism is an important part of the Hudson Valley tourism industry. As it is defined most broadly, it involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy. Elsewhere, agritourism includes a wide variety of activities, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, picking fruit, feeding animals, or staying at a B&B on a farm.
Agritourism is on the rise in the Hudson Valley and one example is the Farm Fresh program in Dutchess County. On weekends visitors are encouraged to take the train from New York City or anywhere south of the county and ride the train to a specific station. There they board a bus to visit farms, wineries, cheese farms and towns and villages. In October, it is estimated that 400 individuals will take part in this weekend-only offering with Metro-North Railroad. Each time someone visits farm or farm related site, money is spent in the community, keeps local residents employed and generates revenue though sales tax and protects the scenic farm land.
Positive impact
Hudson Valley is an easy destination for day trips, weekend or three-day getaways. Visitors come to tour historic sites and museums and savor locally grown food at farms and restaurants. For those who appreciate scenic drives, the natural beauty draws nature lovers. The outdoor recreational opportunities are vast: kayak or sail the Hudson River. Others prefer biking, hiking, exploring mountain trails for the day or camping overnight. Sportsmen try sporting clays, trap or skeet shooting, or hunt at multiple-use areas. For anglers, the fishing is bountiful, in a mountain stream or on the Hudson River. With stunning views, the Hudson River has been designated as one of 14 America”™s Heritage Rivers; it is not surprising the entire region is a National Heritage Area.
Funding is key to sustain tourism in the Hudson River Valley and New York state. The hospitality industry has a positive impact on valley businesses in general. Businesses will be encouraged to relocate here because of the quality of life the Hudson Valley has to offer which are the same reasons people visit and 80,000 people enjoy employment in this industry.
We must all work together to achieve a great place to visit, work and live now and for future generations.
Mary Kay Vrba is president of Hudson Valley Tourism and director of Dutchess County Tourism, which is based in Poughkeepsie and a division of Dutchess County Economic Development, which is partially funded by the county of Dutchess.
