Tourism Advocacy Talking Points & Resources

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.
Keep us informed! Communicate with our Advocacy Committee regarding your advocacy challenges and needs, relevant legislation, or opportunities to get the word out. 

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.

The Tourism Budget Investment Generates Financial Returns

Be prepared to justify the investment in tourism with information on what the returns are for your community. 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:

  • The Visitor Economy supports local government budgets, generating disproportionately high tax revenues for government at the state and local level and reducing the burden on local residents.
    • Talking Point: 2024 NYS tourism spending generated $11 Billion in state and local tax revenues - $1,490 in tax revenues per NYS household. Investing in tourism growth will increase tax revenues.
  • The Visitor Economy improves the standard of living in New York State. It creates jobs and stimulates payroll growth for NYS residents, supports local businesses and adds vitality to communities.
    • Talking Point: Nearly 50% of every dollar of NYS visitor spending ultimately ends up in the paychecks of individuals employed in New York State. One out of every nine jobs in NYS is supported by visitor spending.
  • The Visitor Economy improves the quality of life for NYS residents.
    • Talking Point: New York State's cultural attractions, entertainment and sports venues, museums, and diverse dining establishments are all dependent on visitor spending to survive and flourish.

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

Important Links & Resources: