Tourism Advocacy Talking Points

Making the Case for Tourism

Let your voice be heard, it's up to YOU to advocate for your industry! The multitude of ways tourism growth benefits our state, our local communities, businesses and residents is a great and largely untold story. Make tourism advocacy a part of your daily mission. Whether you are meeting with local residents, businesses, civic, corporate or elected leadership, you can be the missionary be 'preaching the gospel' of tourism and rallying support for your tourism budgets and promotion.

Tourism is NOT the Goal... It is the Means to an End

Don't ask for support for tourism, make your case by asking for support for the desirable outcomes that tourism growth can deliver for your destination communities!

Tourism done right drives responsible, sustainable economic growth! Tourism done right creates local jobs, supports small business success, and increases community vitality. It grows local and state tax revenues, reducing the tax burden on residents. Tourism done right will result in an improved standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents.

Tourism is a New York State Success Story

Tourism is BIG BUSINESS! And 2024 was New York's Best Year Ever! Tourism has grown to be New York's second largest private sector industry!

Tourism Facts at a Glance: 2024

New York State destinations welcomed over 315 MILLION visitors in 2024! New York State's second largest industry generates significant economic benefits:

  • Visitor Spending: $94 BILLION;
  • Total Personal Income: $46.4 BILLION;
  • Total Economic Impact: $145 BILLION;
  • State & Local Tax Revenues: $11.4 BILLION

*Source: Tourism Economics, commissioned by Empire State Development / I LOVE NEW YORK

The Tourism Budget is an Investment that Generates Financial Returns

Don't just ask for support... present your case! Our greatest asset in tourism advocacy is our ability to provide a strong, reasoned and logical case that state and local investments in tourism generate real financial returns for New York State and its residents:

  • Increased tax revenues for government at the state and local level, reducing the burden on local residents.
  • Job and payroll growth for NYS residents, support for local businesses and communities.
  • Public and private sector infrastructure improvements that enhance quality of life and pride of place.

Resources:

Advocacy Action Center: Research legislation, contact your elected representatives, and track bills. Access NYSTIA's Action Center

Economic Impact By County: Select a New York State county to view statistics and download a detailed PDF that is easy to share with key stakeholders for promoting tourism advocacy. Economic Impact by County

Tourism Done Right Programming: Contact us to discuss a tourism advocacy briefing presentation in your destination. Our customizable  template highlights highly-effective talking points, statistics and perspectives that help members secure continued and/or increased funding for tourism marketing. Email us at administrator@nystia.org.

Take Off New York! Take Your Vacation Toolkit: Join our grassroots initiative encouraging New Yorkers to fully utilize their PTO and explore nearby New York! Access the free social media content already prepared for you in the online toolkit coming soon! Watch your newsletter...

"Tourism: It's Everybody's Business" Logo: Incorporate the ‘Tourism, It’s Everybody’s Business!' statement in your advocacy messaging. Download the logo.

Join NYSTIA's Advocacy Action Center

Welcome! Please join our advocacy outreach community. Add your contact information using our 'Welcome Petition' so that you will be invited to participate in future tourism advocacy efforts: