The Beat

Hotels from Retro to Luxe are Opening Just in Time for New York’s Unparalleled Fall Foliage Season

NEW YORK – August 8, 2019 – As cooler weather emerges and a vivid tapestry of colors blankets the landscape, New York State's newest hotels and lodgings are ready to welcome visitors looking to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine and attractions. These exciting new hotels are the perfect way to anchor a day-long or weekend getaway, and this autumn will showcase an array of impressive additions to a rapidly expanding hotel landscape.

Announces Free Fishing on Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Lower Niagara River through Labor Day as well as 50% Off Camping and Vehicle Entrance Fees at State Parks along Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River

New Television Spot Promotes Travel to Lake Ontario and Surrounding Attractions - View the Ad Here  

Hatchery Improvements and Resiliency Grants Will Bolster the $121 Million in Regional Economic Benefit  

Furthers Mission of the REDI Commission to Build More Resilient and Stronger Local Communities along the Shoreline by Strengthening Local Economies

NEW YORK – August 2, 2019 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced the launch of a new campaign to boost tourism in the Lake Ontario region following recent flooding that has hampered tourism in communities along the shoreline. The new initiative includes free fishing on Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Lower Niagara River through Labor Day as well as 50 percent off State campgrounds and vehicle entrance fees along the lake and river.

Ticonderoga, N.Y. – Fort Ticonderoga recently unveiled a new responsive and multi-lingual website, featuring stunning visuals that capture Fort Ticonderoga’s scenic beauty and many programs extending across the historic site’s 2,000-acre landscape and onto the waters of Lake Champlain. The website project was supported, in part, by a grant from New York State’s Division of Tourism/I LOVE NY through the Market New York program as part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards.

Campaign Aims to Bring Even More Visitors to the Region and Includes New I LOVE NY Ads for TV and Digital Platforms, a New Tourism Website and App, and Print Brochures - View the Ads Here and Here

Campaign Programs Include the "Catskills Fire Tower Five Challenge" and "Hike with Us • Catskills" to Bring New and Seasoned Hikers to the Region

Over $40 Million Invested since 2011 to Bring More Visitors to the Catskills

NEW YORK – July 11, 2019 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new three-pronged summer tourism campaign to bring even more visitors to the Catskills this season, following the successful 2016 Catskill Challenge and tourism campaign. The new "See the Catskills Like Never Before" campaign, announced at this year's 2019 Catskill Challenge, will include a new TV and online ad and other targeted marketing materials promoting the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Mid-Hudson region.

50^th Anniversaries for Woodstock And Stonewall, WorldPride's American Debut And A Full Roster Of…

Video Submission Contest Encourages New Yorkers to Share How They Showcase Their New York Pride

Contest Coincides with WorldPride Celebration and Stonewall 50 Coming to New York in 2019

NEW YORK – February 27, 2019 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched the WorldPride 2019 Ambassadors competition, ahead of the WorldPride and Stonewall 50 commemorations planned for June. WorldPride, the largest international LGBTQ Pride celebration, is coming to New York City in 2019, marking the first time it has been held in the United States. The commemoration includes marches, performances and festivals that promote the LGBTQ rights movement, and the WorldPride Ambassadors selected to highlight the diversity of New York's LGBTQ community will be invited to join I LOVE NY in New York City to be part of the celebration, including participating in the Pride March.

New York, NY – January 14, 2019:  New York State has been named as one of the best destinations for travel in 2019 by several influential travel media outlets. Publications and resources like Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Forbes, Mic and SmarterTravel highlighted the state's plans for the "Summer of Love," celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Woodstock and the Stonewall uprising, as well as other on-trend getaways to experience year-round.

"We are proud that New York State was chosen as one of the most recommended places to visit in 2019, which underscores all there is to see and do here year-round," said Ross D. Levi, New York State's Executive Director of Tourism. "The new year is shaping up to be one of our best, thanks to new tourism offerings, exciting milestones, and investments in lodging and infrastructure, and we look forward to welcoming millions of new and returning visitors."…

New York’s Ski Areas Will Feature Enhanced Snowmaking, Expanded Terrain and Trails, and Upgraded Facilities and Dining Options

New York, NY – October 29, 2018: Winter is coming and New York State's 50 ski areas–more than any other state in the country—are ready to welcome nearly four million skiers, riders and enthusiasts this season. With millions in public and private ski area investments, the state's mountains and resorts have added new state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities while completing massive upgrades and exciting renovations. Below is a sampling of these investments:…

Hundreds of Columbus Day Weekend Events Planned to Showcase State's History

Program Encourages Heritage Travel and Tourism Across the State

NEW YORK – October 4, 2018 – Empire State Development (ESD) and I LOVE NY, New York State's Division of Tourism, are encouraging residents and visitors to experience hundreds of events scheduled for the upcoming Path Through History Weekend, scheduled for October 6-8. I LOVE NY will continue to highlight Path Through History Weekend events on its website, social media platforms, and the award-winning I LOVE NY app.

Color Changes Also Reported in Catskills, Thousand Islands-Seaway, Capital-Saratoga, Finger Lakes and Greater Niagara Regions

 Albany, NY – This is the second 2018 Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Fall Foliage Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. 

Picturesque fall colors will continue to make their first appearances across New York State this weekend, with some areas of the Adirondacks approaching midpoint of change, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County spotters in Tupper Lake expect foliage heading toward midpoint of change this weekend, with 35-40 percent color change and fall colors of muted canary, goldenrod, maize, pumpkin, russet, cranberry and cerise. Spotters in Saranac Lake also expect conditions approaching midpoint with 40 percent color change. There is still a lot of green, but vibrant shades of red are emerging from the red maples, and sugar maples are showing various hues of yellow and orange.