News

"As we step up to the plate in 2026, I’m excited about where NYSTIA is headed and even more energized by how we’ll get there together. Our Game Plan for the year ahead focuses on strengthening advocacy and community relations, delivering clearer value to members, and sharpening our role as as…

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week at the Fourth Annual Virtual NYSTIA Member Meeting & Holiday Party! The party wouldn't have been possible without the leadership and support ofNYSTIA Board Chair Cassandra Harrington, who delivered comprehensive end-of-year recaps of NYSTIA…

Your Tourism Champions booth was at Destiny USA, one of the 10 biggest malls in the US, on December 19th and 20th, reaching holiday shoppers. We were joined in the booth by Kaytlynn Lynch from Madison County Tourism. Over the two days at Destiny, we saw shoppers from all over stop by the booth. I…

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to commit to something that benefits both you and the environment: protecting our lands and waters from invasive species. Did you know that everyday activities like boating, fishing, hiking, gardening, or even bringing firewood to a campsite…

The final Wednesday Webinar of our Fall 2025 series featured a practical introduction to the travel trade and how destinations and tourism businesses can use B2B partnerships to drive long-term, reliable visitation. Presented by Hayley Coriaty of Alon Tourism Solutions, this session outlines…

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Power Authority has hired Benjamin R. Walsh as the next Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. Walsh has served as the Mayor of Syracuse since 2018 and moves to the Canal Corporation with a record of practical leadership,…

(Albany, NY) – New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the 250th Knox Regional Commemoration are hosting events marking the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery in December 2025 and January 2026. In the winter of…

Julia Jornsay-Silverberg is the founder of Bravery Beats LLC, a boutique digital marketing agency built on the belief that the most powerful strategy is to be human. Bravery Beats helps brands cut through the clutter online by pairing data-driven strategy with authenticity, clarity, and heart.…

KOS is New York's first public floating sauna, inspired by the stunning fjord saunas of Norway. We are on a mission to inspire people to be happy, healthy, and connect through heat. Our year-round, community-driven sauna offers shared social sessions, private group rentals, annual…

For More Information or To Register for Events, Visit the State Parks, DEC and Canals Websites Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to start their year off with wellness at the forefront by participating in a First Day Hike for free. New Yorkers will have an opportunity to “Get…

This week’s Wednesday Webinar featured Erica Schneider of Parks & Trails New York and Morgan McClary of Montgomery County Tourism, who explored how communities across the state are turning New York’s long-distance trails into engines for local economic growth. What the Trail Town…

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that the 2026 Empire Pass is now available for purchase. The $80 Empire Pass provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to New York State Parks, state boat launch sites, arboretums, park preserves and Department of…

The Office of Cultural Education is excited to invite you to the 2nd Annual Winter New York State 250 Commemoration Summit, February 11, 2026 at the New York State Museum's Huxley Theater from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Join us for updates and presentations from a wide variety of state officials,…

During our Thanksgiving-week Wednesday Webinar, Josiah Brown from New York's Best Experiences led a lively discussion on the fundamentals of advocacy for destination organizations. In particular, what advocacy really means for destination organizations, and why it matters now more than ever. What…

With each year's Thanksgiving newsletter, I have taken the opportunity to reflect on the events of the current year and share my thoughts regarding the year ahead. Calendar year 2024 was a year of positive momentum and (post-covid) resurgence that yielded record breaking statistics for New York…

“Bringing world-class immersive exhibitions to Schenectady has been a tremendous success, and this experience promises to be one of the most unforgettable yet,” said Todd Garofano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady. “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage offers a powerful and…

This week’s Wednesday Webinar brought together Dylan Forsyth of Zartico and Gina Mintzer from the Lake George Regional Chamber, who explored how destination strategies shift when you zoom in on local visitors vs. zoom out to focus on out-of-state travelers. Their conversation highlighted how…

The New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified providers to develop, operate, or support a range of recreational adventures within the New York State Canal System. These offerings, anticipated to begin in Q2 2026, will support the On the…

Join us on Wednesday December 10th at 9:15 AM for our Wednesday Webinar presentation from Hayley Coriaty from Alon Tourism Solutions to learn about the mastering international inbound tourism! In this workshop, Alon Tourism Solutions will share how New York destinations and businesses can…

Garrett Tyler-Parker is the Director Analysis & Insights at Tourism Research Australia (Austrade). Tourism Research Australia (TRA) is Australia's leading provider of quality tourism intelligence across both international and domestic markets. TRA provides statistics and research to assist the…