Tourism down worldwide yet up in New York

By Cassandra Morrissey
The Adirondack Park is a natural land mass which sprawls across New York State for over nine thousand miles. The park, which was originally created in 1882 to help guarantee public land will be ‘forever wild’, creates a unique setting in the heart of New York State. The wide variety of recreational activities, beautiful scenery, and natural beauty makes the Adirondacks a natural tourist attraction. Although the recent economy has caused the majority of tourist attractions to suffer, the Adirondack Park is flourishing.
According to the World Tourism Barometer, tourism is down nearly 8 percent this year, forcing regions to cope with less money and jobs. New York has gone against this trend, and seen a nine percent increase in tourism since 2007. Many of the visitors travel to the Adirondack region, looking for a refreshing retreat. Each year, over 10 million people journey to the region spending over $1 billion. They come from all over the world, supporting jobs, contributing millions of dollars in taxes, and influencing land development. According to Global Travel Industry News, the economy is still pushing people to travel, but by different methods. Driving to tourist attractions has become more popular because it’s cheaper and people find it safer.
Michele Powers, Vice President of marketing at the Chamber of Commerce credits this trend to the regions high attraction, primarily due to its ideal location.
“The Adirondacks in particular are doing well with the down economy because we are a drive-in market. People are used to driving to visit, so it hasn’t really changed. People are willing to drive for an affordable stay, which is what they get here,” Powers said.
Another important aspect helping tourism in the Adirondacks is the overall cost of a day trip to the region. When tourists come to the Adirondacks, they looking for an inexpensive getaway from their daily routine; and they often find what they are looking for. Based on Travelocity.com, staying in a hotel in the Adirondacks is nearly half as expensive as in major cities, such as New York or Boston. Nancy Church, chair of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Plattsburgh State, recognizes the trend.
“After 9/11, people thought travel was down, but it wasn’t. Even when the recession hit, people were still travelling. They realized it’s easier and cheaper to stay closer and do a weekend trip or a day trip, instead of going far away,” Church said.
Although cheap getaways are the most popular way to visit, the unique location of the Adirondacks offers visitors multiple choices in recreation. Whether it’s sailing down Lake Champlain on a private boat or visiting Lake Placid, travelers can choose from a number of different types of escapes. Beverly Jackson in particular enjoys the wilderness aspect of the region.
“It’s nice knowing you have your own space, and people aren’t living right on top of you, it’s peaceful,” Jackson said.
Ron Ofner, Executive Director of the Adirondack regional tourism council, also recognizes the Adirondacks attraction to tourist.
“ People like it here because you can be out in the wilderness for an entire day, but still come back at night and go to a great dinner, or stay in a four star hotel. Tourists want that, and the region provides that to people,” Ofner said.
The ability to drive into the region and inexpensive cost boosts the attraction for the Adirondacks, but a main factor drawing people to the region is the overall quality of life. Within miles of each other, people go to work, visit Olympic arenas, hike mountains, or enjoy their families. According to Keith McKeever, Public Information officer for the New York Park Agency, it’s an all encompassing park.
“What’s unique about the park is that it’s a people park. It’s a place where people come to play, live, and work,” McKeever said.
“It’s the mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and the beautiful scenery that entices people to come to our region. People give up jobs to begin life here, it’s just a win-win location,” Powers said.
There are currently over 130 thousand people that live in the Adirondacks year round. The number is expected to increase drastically in the near future. Some people believe it’s because miles of land is undeveloped, people are seeking a return to a less developed, greener lifestyle. This lifestyle may seem to be in reach within the park. While others, think it’s because of the honest, hard working people that live in the Adirondacks. Although, people like Jackson simply believe it’s because of what the region offers.
“I love it here. I can’t imagine a day without looking out my back door and seeing the mountains and smelling the fresh air. It’s truly a beautiful place,” Jackson said.