The Beat

Troy, NY – The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) wins three honors during the 2021 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards, recognizing the work the organization accomplished during 2020. 

Destination marketing organizations, museums, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses from around New York State gathered virtually at 11:30 AM on Thursday, May 6 for the annual awards ceremony, hosted by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). The awards were juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of NYSTIA. This year, nominations for the awards were up 250% over 2019 and the judges were challenged by both the volume and the caliber of the entries.

With New Fully Vaccinated Fan Sections, Starting May 19

Large-Scale Outdoor Events Will Only Be Limited by Space Available for Patrons or Parties of Patrons to Maintain Required Social Distance

Fully Vaccinated Attendees at Large-Scale Outdoor Events May Be Seated at Full Capacity in Assigned Sections Designated Solely for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

New York State Department of Health Will Partner with Yankees and Mets to Offer COVID Vaccinations at Games

Yankees and Mets to Offer Free Ticket Vouchers to New Yorkers Who Get Vaccinated at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that large-scale outdoor event venues will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet starting May 19. This will apply to outdoor sports, performing arts and live entertainment, and horse and auto racing venues statewide. Appropriate social distancing, masks and other applicable health protocols will still apply.

Travelers Can ROAM THE EMPIRE And Support New York’s Recovery

Orange County, N.Y. (May 5, 2021) – In a statewide collaboration coordinated by the New York State Tourism Industry Association, New York State residents are being asked to ‘ROAM THE EMPIRE’ in 2021.

Destination marketing organizations, museums, attractions, and other tourism related businesses are rallying New Yorkers to ‘ROAM THE EMPIRE’ and choose their home state when making their 2021 travel and vacation plans. Organizers of the ‘ROAM THE EMPIRE’ initiative point to the obvious benefits that will result if New Yorkers choose to explore the Empire State and vacation in-state in 2021.

Opportunity through the Reimagine the Canals initiative will encourage tourism and support local economy

Glamping Sites May Be Reserved Here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced reservations are now being accepted for a unique glamping experience on the Champlain Canal that will attract visitors to the State's historic upper Hudson Valley and boost the local economy that is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, Camp Rockaway, a New York State based outdoor excursion company, will manage the site at Lock C-5 on the Champlain Canal in Schuylerville between Memorial Day weekend and September 8, with possible extension through early October. The glamping site will offer vacationing New Yorkers an opportunity to experience the vast history and bucolic landscapes of one of New York's oldest canalside communities by enjoying luxury camping on the banks of the Canal.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a significant easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the region's businesses, venues and gatherings given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. …

Cooperstown, NY (April 29, 2021) - Rail Explorers, featuring custom built pedal-powered rail bikes will begin operation of their fourth location, the new Cooperstown Division, on Saturday, May 29. The Rail Explorers Cooperstown Division features tours along the historic Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad which follows the beautiful Susquehanna River. Rail Explorers Cooperstown is hosted by the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad and is based in the restored Milford Depot in Milford, New York.

The Popular Irish Mob Tour of Hell’s Kitchen Returns Memorial Day Weekend

New York, N.Y. (April 27, 2021) – Hidden New York Tours, a company specializing in off-beat, unusual, and little-known sights of New York City, returns from its Covid-imposed hiatus with its wildly popular signature tour, From the Gophers to the Westies: The Irish Mob of Hell’s Kitchen. The tour has been featured in Time Out, The Daily News, Newsday, The New York Post, AM New York and on FOX-5 News.

One-day excursions take the planning and guesswork out of your next visit to the Wine Trail

Watkins Glen, NY – The Seneca Lake Wine Trail has partnered with Sip Back and Relax Tours to offer a variety of day trips to take the guesswork and planning out of your visit to Seneca Lake!

Available for small groups of 2-4 people, all options include wine tastings and transportation. Excursions are available to be booked as soon as 10 days but not more than 60 days in advance of a visit.

Large-Scale Outdoor Event Venues Can Increase Spectator Capacity from 20% to 33% Beginning May 19

Casinos and Gaming Facilities Can Increase Capacity from 25% to 50% Beginning May 15

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that spectator capacity at large-scale outdoor event venues, including professional and collegiate sports and live performing arts and entertainment, will increase from 20 to 33 percent beginning May 19. This increase will coincide with the previously announced increase in large-scale indoor event venue capacity. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other State health and safety protocols remain in effect.

North Elba, NY - The Town of North Elba will enter a long-term lease agreement with the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) for their use of the former Lake Placid Memorial Hospital property. The Town took over ownership of this property in 2019; this ownership will be retained and ORDA will lease the site for 50 years with a 50-year renewal for the purpose of expanding the Training Center. ORDA will be responsible for the removal of the current structure, relieving the town of the financial burden of this undertaking, while upgrading the property to enhance the sports industry in the region.