News

Leon Etienne is an illusionist as well as founder of Niagara Falls Magic Theatre USA, a MUST SEE Niagara Falls attraction. It provides jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed, family-friendly entertainment! The Niagara Falls Magic Theatre is an intimate, state of the art venue that gives families an…

Bill Obreiter is the Vice President of U.S. Sales at Zartico, the visitor intelligence platform purpose-built for DMOs. Think of it like mission control for your destination; where movement data, lodging performance, marketing exposure, and visitor yield are connected so you can see what's actually…

This blog is brought to you by SLELO PRISM’s Pledge to Protect.  It seemed harmless enough—a pretty vine from the garden center, its bright berries adding a pop of color to the backyard. But what the homeowner didn’t realize was that this beautiful plant was invasive, and…

CORNING, N.Y. — May 1, 2026— Explore Steuben is pleased to announce the appointment of Mikenna Pierotti as its new Communications Director, bringing a strong background in journalism, storytelling, and strategic communications to the organization’s work promoting Steuben…

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that visitation to New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) venues has surpassed 1.2 million visits during the 2025-26 fiscal year, setting a new record and underscoring the State’s continued leadership in tourism,…

Cayuga County, NY — The Cayuga County Office of Tourism is pleased to announce that the 2026 Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail is now live, returning for its lucky 13th year and is inviting residents and visitors to discover some of Cayuga County’s most delicious destinations during a self-guided…

Last week, we had the pleasure to welcome more than 300 tourism professionals to Utica for the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference. This year marked a new attendance benchmark. We had to close registration due to capacity (for the first time ever) a full week before the conference. The result: a…

After the New York State Tourism Conference, we brought your Tourism Champion booth to the Ottawa Outdoor + Adventure Travel Show at the Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa, Canada. The two-day show drew over 5,000 attendees and we had a premium corner booth location at the front of the show. Attendees…

City of Buffalo and Silo City Awarded State Grant for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Public Viewings and Community Programming Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Buffalo’s Silo City will serve as a premier destination for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, projecting five select matches onto the…

Prominent Members of Founder’s Family Nominated by State Parks for Efforts to Combat Slavery  Two African American New York Abolitionists Also Added to Hall of Fame Located in Madison County  New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and…

I didn't get to travel much as a kid. But today, I can confidently credit travel for the empathy I’ve developed throughout my life. Every trip I take changes my world view - sometimes just a little, and sometimes a whole lot.  Good afternoon, as Bob said I am the “newly minted” Cassandra…

WATERFORD, NY — As America marks its 250th anniversary, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is launching Revolutionary Experiences road trips along New York’s historic waterways. These self-guided itineraries invite residents and visitors alike to explore the people,…

View Images Here The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced that 10 projects and individuals have been recognized with 2026 New York State Historic Preservation Awards. This year’s awards recognize preservation advocates for…

Briana Konecke is the Founder of Rural Tourism Network (RTN), a New York-based consulting and research organization dedicated to helping rural communities harness tourism as a driver of economic development and cultural preservation. RTN works at the intersection of destination strategy,…

On Thursday morning, April 23 at the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference, representatives of the NYSTIA  Workforce Development Committee will provide an overview of the committee’s work over the past year. Attendees will hear about key initiatives, including the launch of a new…

We are firmly in the “age of advocacy” as an industry.  Tourism departments and their funding models are being challenged or even attacked at record levels nationally.  Tourism leaders today are required to do more than just focus on driving visitation. They’re being called to demonstrate…

Cayuga County, April 2026 — The Cayuga County Tourism Office is pleased to announce the 2026 Tour Cayuga Tourism Support Grant, a funding opportunity designed to support public programming that celebrates Cayuga County and encourages visitation to the destination. Now in its fifth year, the…

A critical shift in U.S. Customs and Border Protection policy is moving toward final approval and could impact travelers from key feeder markets, including Europe, Japan, and Australia as early as Summer 2026. The proposal would require travelers to disclose detailed family information and five…

Your Tourism Champions booth was on display at the Dream Destinations Travel Show at the MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA, on April 12th. We had steady traffic through the booth, with many New Englanders eager to explore New York State. Many families and retirees came through the booth during the…

Sean T. Fitzpatrick is Chief Marketing Officer at Overit, a nationally recognized creative agency based in Albany, NY. Overit, a national full-service marketing and communications agency, brings deep expertise in travel and hospitality, including destinations, hotels, tourism organizations, and…