NEWSLETTER
Orange County, N.Y. (Dec. 23, 2025) – Orange County Tourism is making major strides in capturing the rapidly growing global travel market. With visitor spending climbing to $1.32 billion in 2024 and tourism supporting more than 11,700 local jobs, the county is building on its momentum and positioning itself as a must-see international destination.
Worldwide interest in U.S. travel is surging ahead of several milestone events, including America 250 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. As global travelers look for authentic American experiences beyond major cities, Orange County is stepping forward with a compelling mix of world-class attractions, small-town charm, and easy access from New York City. In addition to international visitation, Orange County is also focusing on the high-demand domestic group travel market, which includes student groups, motorcoach tours, senior travel programs and regional tour operators serving the Northeast.
To accelerate growth in the international market, Orange County Tourism partnered with Alon Tourism Solutions, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in inbound travel trade development. Together, they created a focused program for local tourism businesses, offering hands-on training on how to work effectively with international buyers, tour operators, and receptive agencies. Participating hotels, attractions, wineries, and transportation providers are now fully equipped to sell their product to a global audience. The training also prepares attractions and hotels to work with domestic group operators who regularly bring bus tours and student groups into the Hudson Valley, making this program a powerful tool for both international and regional group tourism growth.
Orange County offers a rare combination of convenience, scenery, and standout experiences. The county sits less than an hour from New York City and delivers a full shift in atmosphere, with rolling hills, Catskill foothill landscapes, and a collection of historic villages filled with restaurants, shops, and boutique accommodations. The region is home to iconic destinations including Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, LEGOLAND® New York Resort, the United States Military Academy at West Point, George Washington’s Headquarters, Storm King Art Center, and Brotherhood Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in America.
The program culminated in a multi-day FAM (familiarization) tour, bringing top travel industry buyers from across the globe to experience Orange County firsthand. Buyers visited a curated selection of attractions, hotels, restaurants, and cultural sites, giving them the insight they need to confidently promote and sell Orange County to their clients worldwide. All trade-ready businesses, including LEGOLAND New York Resort, Brotherhood Winery, Christopher Jacobs Winery, Pine Bush UFO and Paranormal Museum, Courtyard by Marriott Middletown, Cromwell Manor Inn, the Thayer Hotel at West Point, and Storm King Art Center will be included in trade materials shared with the buyers.
According to Amanda Dana, Director of Tourism for Orange County, “This program gives our partners the tools and relationships they need to connect with group travelers not only domestically, but around the world as well. Bringing these buyers here to see our destination in person is the strongest way to inspire them to sell Orange County.”
Expanding the global visitor market supports the county’s long-term economic goals. International travelers typically stay longer, spend more, and travel year-round. Tourism growth also supports local jobs, strengthens small businesses, and contributes revenue that offsets residential taxes — all while having a lighter impact on infrastructure compared to other forms of development. Domestic group travel, particularly motorcoach and regional tour markets, also offers steady year-round business and helps fill midweek and shoulder-season gaps for local attractions and hotels.
Alon Tourism Solutions, founded in 2000, is the country’s leading training and inbound marketing consultancy firm and has successfully helped tourism suppliers and destinations with B2B inbound tourism strategies for more than 25 years. Alon has been working with DMOs and tourism suppliers to transform their offers into globally marketable offerings. Through strategic consulting, training, and targeted networking, we help clients expand their reach, strengthen teams, and build profitable relationships with domestic and international travel trade. Our proven approach drives sales growth, enriches buyer product catalogs, and fosters a sustainable, interconnected global tourism ecosystem.
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events and film resources can be found at www.pickocny.com. Additionally, a fun, free, 66-page travel guide is available for digital download at pickocny.com/travel-guide.